Chapter 11 Bolded Words

Quorum sensing

a biological process of cell-to-cell communication that allows bacteria and other microbes to detect and respond to changes in population density via chemical signaling molecules

Signal Transduction pathway

a series of molecular steps where a cell converts an extracellular or intracellular signal into a specific functional response

Paracine Signaling

a form of short-distance cell communication where a cell releases signaling molecules into the local extracellular environment to alter the behavior of nearby target cells

Synaptic Signaling

process by which a neuron communicates with a target cell (such as another neuron, muscle, or gland) across a specialized junction called a synapse

Hormones

chemical messengers secreted by galnds in the endocrine system that travel through your bloodstream to target organs and tissues, coordinating vital functions and helping maintain balance (homeostasis).

Signal Reception

how well a device, such as a mobile phone, picks up a wireless or cellular network signal

Signal Transduction

the process by which a cell converts an extracellular or physical stimulus into a specific intracellular response

Cellular response

Final, actionable outcome of a cell detecting and processing an external or internal stimulus

Ligand

An ion or molecule that binds to a central target

G Protein-coupled receptors

Largest and most diverse family of cell-surface membrane receptors in eukaryotes

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs)

High-affinity, single-pass transmembrane cell-surface receptors that bind polypeptide growth factors, hormones, and cytokines

Ligand-gated Ion channel

Transmembrane proteins that open or close to allow ions to pass through cell membrane in response to the binding of a chemical messenger (a ligand)

Protein Kinases

Enzyme that modifies other proteins by covalently adding a phosphate group to them

Phosphorylation cascade

Sequential chain of protein to protein activations where one enxyme phosphoylate to the next, rapidly ampligying a cellular signal from the cell membrane to its final target

Protein phosphatase

Enzyme that removes a phosphate group from a target protein

Second Messengers

Small, non-protein intracellular molecules and ions that relay, amplify and coordinate signals received by cell-surface receptors to target proteins inside the cell

Cyclin AMP

vital intracellular second messenger molecule used to transfer and amplify signals from extracellular first messengers—such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors—into the cell

Adenyl Cyclase

a critical cell-membrane-bound (or soluble) enzyme that converts adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and inorganic diphosphate

Inositol Triphosphate (IP3)

a water-soluble second messenger molecule used in biological cell signaling

Diacylglycerol (DAG)

type of glyceride consisting of two fatty acid chains covalently bonded to a glycerol molecule through ester linkages

Scaffolding proteins

critical regulatory hubs in cells that bind multiple members of a signaling pathway and tether them into a physical complex

Inactivation

stopping something from functioning, working, or causing disease

Apoptosis

a form of programmed cell death