AP - Cell Communication (Litten)

Front

What is a G protein?

Back

A protein located on the cytoplasmic side of a membrane that acts as a relay protein in cell signaling.

Front

What is the role of protein kinase in cell signaling?

Back

Protein kinase activates proteins by transferring a phosphate group to them.

Front

How is signal amplification achieved in cell signaling?

Back

Signal amplification is most often achieved by an enzyme cascade.

Front

What does the amplification of a signal molecule refer to?

Back

It refers to the process where a single signal molecule can lead to a large response through a series of enzymatic reactions.

Front

What factors determine whether a signal molecule binds on the surface or enters the cell?

Back

The size, polarity, and ability to cross the membrane of the signal molecule.

Front

What is signal transduction?

Back

The process by which a cell responds to external signals through a series of molecular events.

Front

Define 'ligand' in the context of cell signaling.

Back

A ligand is a molecule that binds to a receptor to initiate a signaling pathway.

Front

What is the function of a receptor in cell communication?

Back

Receptors are proteins that receive and respond to signaling molecules.

Front

Explain the concept of 'second messengers' in cell signaling.

Back

Second messengers are small molecules that relay signals received by receptors to target molecules inside the cell.

Front

What is the significance of phosphorylation in cell signaling?

Back

Phosphorylation is a key mechanism that alters the activity of proteins, thereby regulating cellular processes.