AP Bio Insta-Review Topic 4.3: Signal Transduction

Front

What is apoptosis?

Back

Programmed cell death.

Front

What binds to turn on or off gene expression?

Back

Transcription factor.

Front

What is signal transduction?

Back

The process by which a cell responds to substances outside its membrane.

Front

What role do receptors play in signal transduction?

Back

They bind to signaling molecules and initiate a cellular response.

Front

What is a ligand?

Back

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

Front

What is the function of second messengers in signal transduction?

Back

They relay signals received at receptors on the cell surface to target molecules inside the cell.

Front

What is the difference between endocrine and paracrine signaling?

Back

Endocrine signaling involves hormones traveling through the bloodstream, while paracrine signaling involves local signaling between nearby cells.

Front

What is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)?

Back

A large family of receptors that detect molecules outside the cell and activate internal signal transduction pathways.

Front

What is the role of protein kinases in signal transduction?

Back

They add phosphate groups to proteins, which can activate or deactivate the target proteins.

Front

What is the significance of feedback mechanisms in signal transduction?

Back

They help regulate the intensity and duration of the signal, ensuring appropriate cellular responses.