Quick 10Q: Cell Communication

Front

What are ligands in cell communication?

Back

Ligands are signaling molecules that bind to specific receptors on target cells to initiate a response.

Front

How are ligands cell-specific?

Back

Each cell has different receptors to bind to the ligand.

Front

What is the difference between paracrine and hormone signaling?

Back

Hormone signaling involves the bloodstream and is long-distance, while paracrine signaling involves extracellular fluid and is short-distance.

Front

What is a phosphorylation cascade?

Back

A series of biochemical events where a protein kinase adds a phosphate to a relay molecule, causing a change in shape to activate it.

Front

What is a secondary messenger?

Back

A secondary messenger is a molecule that transmits signals from a receptor to target molecules inside the cell; an example is cAMP.

Front

How do steroid hormones differ from protein hormones?

Back

Steroid hormones are hydrophobic, while protein hormones are hydrophilic.

Front

What role do receptors play in cell communication?

Back

Receptors are proteins on the cell surface or inside the cell that bind to ligands and initiate a cellular response.

Front

What is the function of a protein kinase?

Back

A protein kinase is an enzyme that adds phosphate groups to proteins, often activating or deactivating them.

Front

What is the role of cAMP in cell signaling?

Back

cAMP acts as a secondary messenger that relays signals from receptors to target proteins inside the cell.

Front

What is endocytosis?

Back

Endocytosis is the process by which cells internalize substances from their external environment.