AP Cell Communication

Front

What is cell communication?

Back

Cell communication is the process by which cells send and receive signals to coordinate their activities and respond to their environment.

Front

What is a ligand?

Back

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

Front

What is a receptor in cell signaling?

Back

A receptor is a protein on the surface of a cell that binds to specific signaling molecules (ligands) and triggers a response.

Front

What is the role of protein kinases in cell signaling?

Back

Protein kinases are enzymes that transfer phosphate groups from ATP to specific proteins, activating or deactivating them as part of the signaling cascade.

Front

What is an autocrine signal?

Back

An autocrine signal is a type of signaling where a cell produces a signal that binds to its own receptors, leading to a response in the same cell.

Front

What is paracrine signaling?

Back

Paracrine signaling is a form of cell communication where a cell produces a signal that affects nearby target cells.

Front

What is the significance of signal receptors?

Back

Signal receptors determine whether a cell can respond to a particular signaling molecule, thus playing a crucial role in cell communication.

Front

What is a phosphorylation cascade?

Back

A phosphorylation cascade is a series of chemical reactions in a cell where one enzyme activates another by adding a phosphate group, amplifying the signal.

Front

What is cAMP and its role in cell signaling?

Back

cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) is a secondary messenger that transmits signals from receptors to target molecules inside the cell.

Front

What is the difference between endocrine and paracrine signaling?

Back

Endocrine signaling involves hormones traveling through the bloodstream to distant target cells, while paracrine signaling involves signals affecting nearby cells.