AP Bio Unit 4

Front

What is a phosphorylation cascade?

Back

A series of biochemical events in which one enzyme activates another through the addition of a phosphate group, often leading to a cellular response.

Front

What role does cAMP play in cellular signaling?

Back

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

Front

What occurs during the Anaphase of mitosis?

Back

Sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell, ensuring that each new daughter cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes.

Front

What is the S-phase of the cell cycle?

Back

The S-phase (Synthesis phase) is the part of the cell cycle where DNA replication occurs, resulting in the duplication of chromosomes.

Front

Define signal transduction.

Back

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

Front

What is the function of a second messenger?

Back

Second messengers relay signals received at cell surface receptors to target molecules inside the cell, amplifying the signal.

Front

What happens during the reception stage of signal transduction?

Back

A signaling molecule (ligand) binds to a specific receptor on the cell surface, initiating the signaling process.

Front

What is the role of kinases in signal transduction?

Back

Kinases are enzymes that add phosphate groups to other proteins, often activating or deactivating them as part of the signaling pathway.

Front

What is the difference between a ligand and a receptor?

Back

A ligand is a signaling molecule that binds to a receptor, which is a protein on the cell surface that receives the signal.

Front

What is the significance of the mitotic spindle?

Back

The mitotic spindle is a structure made of microtubules that segregates chromosomes during cell division.