CH 11 STUDY GUIDE: CELLULAR COMMUNICATION
KEY TERMS
signal- transduction pathway
local regulator (give examples)
hormones
receptor protein
signal amplification
protein kinase
second messenger
WORD ROOTS
liga - = bound or tied (ligand: a small molecule that specifically binds to a larger
one)
trans - = across (signal-transduction pathway: the process by which a signal on a
cell’s surface is converted into a specific cellular response inside the cell)
- yl = substance or matter (adenylyl cyclase: an enzyme that converts ATP to
cAMP)
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QUESTIONS
1. Complete this cell - signaling table:
STAGE
MAIN EVENT
2. What are three signal receptor proteins?
3. Describe how the G protein receptors function.
4. What kind of chemical messengers do not require membrane proteins in order
to enter the cell? (i.e. What is their chemical make-up?)
5. Give two examples of “second messengers”.
6. What are the two cellular responses to a signal?
7. A hormone is available to all cells in the body. why do some cells respond to
this hormone, and others cells do not respond? (Remember enzymes, the same
general principle is at work here.)
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