AP Bio Insta-Review Topic 4.3*: Signal Transduction

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What is apoptosis?

Back

Programmed cell death.

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What is a transcription factor?

Back

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

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What is signal transduction?

Back

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

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What role do receptors play in signal transduction?

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

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What is a ligand?

Back

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

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What is the difference between endocrine and paracrine signaling?

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

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What is a second messenger?

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A small molecule that transmits signals from receptors to target molecules inside the cell.

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

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

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What is the function of protein kinases in signal transduction?

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Protein kinases add phosphate groups to proteins, altering their activity and function in response to signals.

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What is the significance of feedback mechanisms in signal transduction?

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Feedback mechanisms help regulate and fine-tune the signal transduction pathways to maintain homeostasis.