Cell Communication - AP Biology
Card 1 of 30
Which enzyme removes phosphate groups from proteins?
Which enzyme removes phosphate groups from proteins?
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Protein phosphatases. Reverse phosphorylation to turn off signals.
Protein phosphatases. Reverse phosphorylation to turn off signals.
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Identify the main types of cell communication.
Identify the main types of cell communication.
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Direct contact, paracrine, autocrine, endocrine, synaptic. Five main categories based on distance and method.
Direct contact, paracrine, autocrine, endocrine, synaptic. Five main categories based on distance and method.
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What is apoptosis?
What is apoptosis?
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Programmed cell death. Controlled cellular suicide mechanism.
Programmed cell death. Controlled cellular suicide mechanism.
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What is apoptosis?
What is apoptosis?
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Programmed cell death. Controlled cellular suicide mechanism.
Programmed cell death. Controlled cellular suicide mechanism.
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What is meant by 'cross-talk' in cell signaling?
What is meant by 'cross-talk' in cell signaling?
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Interactions between different signaling pathways. Integration of multiple signaling networks.
Interactions between different signaling pathways. Integration of multiple signaling networks.
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Identify the main function of scaffolding proteins.
Identify the main function of scaffolding proteins.
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Organize groups of signaling pathway components. Coordinate multiple proteins in signaling complexes.
Organize groups of signaling pathway components. Coordinate multiple proteins in signaling complexes.
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What does 'desensitization' refer to in cell signaling?
What does 'desensitization' refer to in cell signaling?
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Decreased response to a signal over time. Prevents overstimulation through receptor adaptation.
Decreased response to a signal over time. Prevents overstimulation through receptor adaptation.
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What is the role of protein kinases in cell signaling?
What is the role of protein kinases in cell signaling?
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Enzymes that phosphorylate proteins, altering their activity. Add phosphate groups to modify protein function.
Enzymes that phosphorylate proteins, altering their activity. Add phosphate groups to modify protein function.
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Which type of receptor is located in the plasma membrane?
Which type of receptor is located in the plasma membrane?
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Cell-surface receptors. For hydrophilic ligands that cannot cross membranes.
Cell-surface receptors. For hydrophilic ligands that cannot cross membranes.
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Define the term 'signal specificity' in cell communication.
Define the term 'signal specificity' in cell communication.
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The ability of cells to respond to specific signals. Ensures appropriate responses to correct signals.
The ability of cells to respond to specific signals. Ensures appropriate responses to correct signals.
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Describe autocrine signaling.
Describe autocrine signaling.
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Cells respond to signals they release themselves. Self-regulation through local feedback loops.
Cells respond to signals they release themselves. Self-regulation through local feedback loops.
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What is endocrine signaling?
What is endocrine signaling?
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Hormones released into the bloodstream affect distant cells. Long-distance communication via circulatory system.
Hormones released into the bloodstream affect distant cells. Long-distance communication via circulatory system.
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What is the role of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)?
What is the role of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)?
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Transmit signals from ligands to activate G proteins. Major receptor class using conformational changes.
Transmit signals from ligands to activate G proteins. Major receptor class using conformational changes.
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Which process enhances diversity in immune cell receptors?
Which process enhances diversity in immune cell receptors?
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Somatic recombination. Process creating antibody and T-cell diversity.
Somatic recombination. Process creating antibody and T-cell diversity.
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What is the role of the MAPK pathway in cell signaling?
What is the role of the MAPK pathway in cell signaling?
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Regulates cell processes such as growth and differentiation. Key pathway controlling cell fate decisions.
Regulates cell processes such as growth and differentiation. Key pathway controlling cell fate decisions.
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Identify the role of phospholipase C in signaling.
Identify the role of phospholipase C in signaling.
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Cleaves PIP2 to produce IP3 and DAG, second messengers. Generates two important lipid messengers simultaneously.
Cleaves PIP2 to produce IP3 and DAG, second messengers. Generates two important lipid messengers simultaneously.
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Identify the role of nitric oxide in cell signaling.
Identify the role of nitric oxide in cell signaling.
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Acts as a signaling molecule causing vasodilation. Short-lived gas molecule affecting blood vessels.
Acts as a signaling molecule causing vasodilation. Short-lived gas molecule affecting blood vessels.
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Identify the primary function of apoptosis.
Identify the primary function of apoptosis.
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Eliminate damaged or unnecessary cells. Maintains tissue health and prevents cancer.
Eliminate damaged or unnecessary cells. Maintains tissue health and prevents cancer.
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Name a receptor type found inside the cell.
Name a receptor type found inside the cell.
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Intracellular receptors. Bind hydrophobic ligands that pass through membranes.
Intracellular receptors. Bind hydrophobic ligands that pass through membranes.
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Which molecule often triggers apoptosis?
Which molecule often triggers apoptosis?
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Caspases. Proteases that execute cell death pathways.
Caspases. Proteases that execute cell death pathways.
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Define feedback inhibition in signal transduction.
Define feedback inhibition in signal transduction.
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End product of a pathway inhibits an upstream step. Prevents overproduction and maintains homeostasis.
End product of a pathway inhibits an upstream step. Prevents overproduction and maintains homeostasis.
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What is the function of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs)?
What is the function of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs)?
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Transfer phosphate groups to tyrosine residues on proteins. Catalyze phosphorylation for signal transduction.
Transfer phosphate groups to tyrosine residues on proteins. Catalyze phosphorylation for signal transduction.
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Describe the transduction stage in cell signaling.
Describe the transduction stage in cell signaling.
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Signal is converted to a form that can bring about a response. Signal conversion through molecular cascades.
Signal is converted to a form that can bring about a response. Signal conversion through molecular cascades.
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What is the role of adenylate cyclase in cell signaling?
What is the role of adenylate cyclase in cell signaling?
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Converts ATP to cAMP, a second messenger. Enzyme producing the universal second messenger.
Converts ATP to cAMP, a second messenger. Enzyme producing the universal second messenger.
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Define signal amplification in cell communication.
Define signal amplification in cell communication.
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Strengthening of a signal as it is transduced in a pathway. One signal triggers multiple downstream effects.
Strengthening of a signal as it is transduced in a pathway. One signal triggers multiple downstream effects.
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What is a signal transduction pathway?
What is a signal transduction pathway?
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Sequence of molecular events converting a signal to a response. Converts extracellular signals into cellular responses.
Sequence of molecular events converting a signal to a response. Converts extracellular signals into cellular responses.
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Which molecule is typically involved in synaptic signaling?
Which molecule is typically involved in synaptic signaling?
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Neurotransmitters. Chemical messengers across synapses.
Neurotransmitters. Chemical messengers across synapses.
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What is a ligand in cell communication?
What is a ligand in cell communication?
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A molecule that binds to a receptor to initiate a signal. Acts as a chemical key for receptor binding.
A molecule that binds to a receptor to initiate a signal. Acts as a chemical key for receptor binding.
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Identify the three stages of cell signaling.
Identify the three stages of cell signaling.
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Reception, transduction, response. Sequential steps from signal detection to cellular response.
Reception, transduction, response. Sequential steps from signal detection to cellular response.
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Identify a key feature of ion channel receptors.
Identify a key feature of ion channel receptors.
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Open or close in response to ligand binding. Allow rapid ion flux across membranes.
Open or close in response to ligand binding. Allow rapid ion flux across membranes.
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