Cell Signalling

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of cell communication?

Answer 1

To control processes inside the body and respond to changes in the environment

Question 2

What are messenger molecules?

Answer 2

Molecules released by one cell that travel to another cell to facilitate communication

Question 3

What are the three stages of cell communication?

Answer 3

1. One cell releases a messenger molecule (e.g. a hormone).
2. This molecule travels (e.g. in the blood) to another cell.
3. The messenger molecule is detected by the cell because it binds to a receptor on its membrane.

Question 4

What allows a cell to detect a messenger molecule?

Answer 4

Binding to a receptor on its cell membrane

Question 5

What are membrane-bound receptors?

Answer 5

Proteins in the cell membrane that act as receptors for messenger molecules

Question 6

What characteristic do receptor proteins have?

Answer 6

Specific shapes that only allow complementary messenger molecules to bind

Question 7

What is a target cell?

Answer 7

A cell that responds to a particular messenger molecule

Question 8

How do drugs interact with cell membrane receptors?

Answer 8

They bind to receptors, triggering a response or blocking the receptor’s function

Question 9

True or False: Different cells have the same types of receptors.

Answer 9

False