AP Unit 4 Cell Communication Entire Unit

Front

What are second messengers?

Back

Second messengers are small, water-soluble molecules that relay signals received at receptors on the cell surface to target molecules inside the cell.

Front

What is the role of hormones in cell communication?

Back

Hormones are organic compounds produced by glands in the body that facilitate long-distance communication between cells.

Front

True or False: All signals and receptors are the same in all cells.

Back

False. Different cells can have different signals and receptors.

Front

What is the function of second messengers in cell signaling?

Back

Second messengers relay messages from the outside of the membrane throughout the cytoplasm.

Front

True or False: Mutations in a receptor protein do not affect the signaling pathway.

Back

False. Mutations can disrupt the signaling pathway's activity.

Front

What is the significance of water-solubility in second messengers?

Back

Water-solubility allows second messengers to rapidly move throughout the cell by diffusion.

Front

Define signal transduction.

Back

Signal transduction is the process by which a cell responds to external signals through a series of molecular events.

Front

What is a receptor in the context of cell communication?

Back

A receptor is a protein on the cell surface or inside the cell that binds to signaling molecules (ligands) and initiates a response.

Front

What is the difference between endocrine and paracrine signaling?

Back

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

Front

What is a ligand?

Back

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