Cell Communication - Chapter 11

These flashcards cover key concepts from Chapter 11 on Cell Communication, focusing on the mechanisms, types of signaling, and effects of hormones and receptors.

What does a yeast cell release during signal transduction that affects neighboring cells?

A mating factor that binds to receptors on the membranes of other types of yeast cells.

What genetic modification affects the mating behavior of engineered yeast cells producing only mating factor a?

They will mate with each other or with normal mating type a cells, but not with normal mating type a cells.

What role does cell signaling play in the formation of biofilms on teeth?

Aggregation of bacteria that can cause cavities.

What is paracrine signaling?

A type of local signaling in which a cell secretes a signal molecule that affects neighboring cells.

What must a target organ have in order to respond to a hormone?

The target organ must have receptors that recognize and bind the hormone molecule.

How do plant hormones differ from animal hormones in terms of travel?

Plant hormones frequently travel through the air as a gas.

In a signal pathway, what is the role of a neurotransmitter when it opens gated ion channels?

The neurotransmitter serves as a signal molecule.

In signal signaling, what does synaptic signaling represent?

A form of communication between a neuron and its target cell.

What observation suggested to Sutherland the involvement of a second messenger in epinephrine's effect on liver cells?

Glycogen breakdown was observed only when epinephrine was administered to intact cells.

What is true of a G protein bound to GTP?

A G protein bound to GTP is in its active state.

How does testosterone function inside a cell?

It binds with a receptor protein that enters the nucleus and activates expression of specific genes.

Which transmembrane protein is involved in communication between extracellular matrix and developing cells?

Integrins.

Which type of receptor forms dimers and adds phosphate groups to activate relay proteins?

Receptor tyrosine kinases.

What is a likely effect of a drug that inhibits cellular response to testosterone?

The transcription of certain genes would decrease.

Where is the carboxyl end of a G protein-coupled receptor most likely found?

At the cytosolic surface.

Where would a coupled G protein most likely interact with a G protein-coupled receptor?

At the loop between helices 5 and 6.

What type of receptor directly changes the distribution of ions on opposite sides of the membrane when a signaling molecule binds?

Ligand-gated ion channel.

Why does testosterone affect only target cells despite being lipid-soluble and able to cross all cell membranes?

Only target cells have the specific receptor for testosterone.