Signal Transduction basics
Cell signaling
What is a chain of molecular events that leads to a cellular response?
Signaling pathway
What are receptors located on the cell membrane that bind water-soluble ligands?
What are small molecules inside the cell that transmit signals from receptors to target molecules?
Second messengers
What is the general process where cells regulate their own activity to maintain balance?
What is the step in signaling where a ligand binds to a receptor?
Reception
What is the process where one activated molecule activates many others to increase signal strength?
What are receptors located inside the cell that bind lipid-soluble signals like steroids?
Intracellular receptors
What is the second messenger derived from ATP that is commonly used in G-coupled protein receptor signaling?
cAMP (cyclic AMP)
What type of feedback increases a response until a specific outcome is reached?
Positive feedback
What is the step that relays and amplifies the signal inside the cell?
Signal transduction
What is a pathway in which proteins activate each other through phosphate group transfer?
Phosphorylation cascade
What type of receptor activates a G protein when a ligan binds?
G-protein-coupled receptor
What ion is commonly released from the endoplasmic reticulum during cell signaling?
Calcium ion
What is programmed, controlled cell death?
What is the final step in signaling where the cell produces a response?
Response
What are enzymes that transfer phosphate groups to target proteins called?
Protein kinases
What type of receptor functions as an enzyme and often triggers phosphorylation cascades?
Receptor tyrosine kinase
What enzyme converts ATP into cAMP
What type of feedback maintains homeostasis by reducing the response?
Negative feedback
What is the concept that explains why only certain cells respond to specific signals?
Receptor specificity
What are enzymes that remove phosphate groups from proteins called?
Protein phosphatases
What type of receptor opens or closes to allow ions to pass through the membrane when a ligan binds?
Ligand-gated ion channel
What protein kinase is activated by cAMP in many signaling pathways?
Protein kinase A
What family of enzymes is responsible for carrying out apoptosis by breaking down cellular components?
Caspases