Quick 10Q: Cell Communication

Front

What is cell communication?

Back

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

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What is a ligand?

Back

A ligand is a molecule that binds to a specific receptor to initiate a signal transduction pathway.

Front

What is a receptor?

Back

A receptor is a protein on the cell surface or inside the cell that binds to a ligand and initiates a response.

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What is signal transduction?

Back

Signal transduction is the process by which a cell converts an external signal into a functional response.

Front

What is a transcription factor?

Back

A transcription factor is a protein that helps regulate the transcription of specific genes by binding to nearby DNA.

Front

What is a secondary messenger?

Back

A secondary messenger is a molecule that relays signals received at receptors on the cell surface to target molecules inside the cell.

Front

What is cAMP?

Back

cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) is a common secondary messenger involved in many signal transduction pathways.

Front

What is a phosphorylation cascade?

Back

A phosphorylation cascade is a series of chemical reactions during cell signaling where one enzyme phosphorylates another, leading to a chain reaction.

Front

What is the order of steps in a signal transduction pathway?

Back

The order is Reception -> Transduction -> Response.

Front

Can more than one ligand bind to the same receptor?

Back

True, more than one ligand can bind to the same receptor.