AP Bio Insta-Review Topic 4.3*: Signal Transduction

Front

What is a transcription factor?

Back

A protein that binds to specific DNA sequences, turning on or off gene expression.

Front

What is apoptosis?

Back

Programmed cell death, a process that eliminates unnecessary or damaged cells.

Front

What is signal transduction?

Back

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

Front

What role do receptors play in signal transduction?

Back

Receptors are proteins that detect and bind to signaling molecules, initiating the signal transduction pathway.

Front

What is a ligand?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between autocrine and paracrine signaling?

Back

Autocrine signaling involves a cell responding to signals it produces itself, while paracrine signaling involves signals affecting nearby cells.

Front

What is the function of second messengers in signal transduction?

Back

Second messengers are small molecules that relay signals received at receptors to target molecules inside the cell.

Front

What is the role of G-proteins in signal transduction?

Back

G-proteins act as molecular switches that transmit signals from activated receptors to downstream effectors.

Front

What is the significance of phosphorylation in signal transduction?

Back

Phosphorylation is the addition of a phosphate group to a protein, which can change the protein's activity and function.

Front

What is a signaling cascade?

Back

A series of biochemical events triggered by a signal that amplifies the response within the cell.