AP Bio Unit 4 (Communication & Division)

Front

What is a secondary messenger?

Back

A secondary messenger is a molecule that transmits signals from a receptor to a target within a cell, amplifying the strength of the signal.

Front

What is the role of cAMP in cell signaling?

Back

cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) acts as a secondary messenger that relays signals from hormones or other signaling molecules to target proteins, leading to a cellular response.

Front

What happens during mitosis without cytokinesis?

Back

The resulting cell will have more than one nucleus due to the division of chromosomes without the division of the cytoplasm.

Front

What causes cancer at the cellular level?

Back

Cancer is caused by errors in the regulatory processes of the cell cycle, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and division.

Front

What is phosphorylation cascade?

Back

A phosphorylation cascade is a series of chemical reactions in a cell where one enzyme phosphorylates another, leading to a chain reaction that amplifies the signal.

Front

What is the source of phosphate in a phosphorylation cascade?

Back

The source of phosphate is ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which donates phosphate groups to proteins.

Front

Define ligand in the context of cell signaling.

Back

A ligand is a molecule that binds to a receptor, initiating a cellular response.

Front

What is the function of receptor proteins?

Back

Receptor proteins are proteins on the cell surface or inside the cell that bind to specific ligands, triggering a response in the cell.

Front

Explain the term 'cell signaling pathway'.

Back

A cell signaling pathway is a series of molecular events and interactions that lead to a cellular response following the binding of a ligand to a receptor.

Front

What is the significance of transduction in cell signaling?

Back

Transduction is the process by which a cell converts an external signal into a functional response, often involving a series of biochemical reactions.