Homeostasis, Endocrine System, and Human Reproductive Cycles Flashcards
The extracellular component of G-protein coupled receptors is a ____.
ligand-binding site
The intracellular component of G-protein coupled receptors is a ____.
portion that binds to G protein
What happens when a G protein-coupled receptor is activated?
it associates with a G protein
G protein-coupled receptors are able to transmit signals from ____ the cell –> ____ the cell.
outside –> inside
G protein-coupled receptors initiate a long-term/short-term response.
short-term
What are the four steps in the G protein-coupled receptor pathway?
- receptor activation
- signal amplification
- cellular response
- signal termination
When the G protein is inactive, it is bound to ____
GDP
When the G protein is active, it is bound to ____
GTP
releases GDP to bind GTP
What subunit of the G protein binds to GTP?
alpha subunit
What steps occur during signal amplification of the adrenaline pathway (after receptor activation)?
- GTP-bound subunit binds to enzyme adenylyl cyclase
- adenylyl cyclase converts ATP into cAMP
- cAMP binds to and activates protein kinase A
What is a second messenger?
a signaling molecule that relays info to the next target in the signal transduction pathway
True or False:
A G protein-coupled pathway can only be terminated at the receptor.
False
can be terminated at either the receptor or G protein
How is the G protein signal terminated at the receptor?
binding affinity of signaling molecule decreases, which leads to it dissociating from the receptor
How is the G protein signal terminated at the G protein?
active GTP bound subunit turns itself off by converting GTP –> GDP
What is homeostasis?
the active regulation and maintenance of a stable internal physiological state in the face of a changing external environment
What are the four components of a negative feedback loop?
- stimulus
- sensor
- effector
- response
What does a negative feedback loop do?
a process in which the output or produce of a pathway opposes the initial stimulus so that homeostasis is maintained
What is the set point in a feedback loop?
a steady-state value in homeostatic regulation
i.e. temperature, levels of a chemical
What is a hormone?
a chemical messenger that regulates the organism’s physiological response to the enviornment and helps maintain stable physiological conditions
What are neurosecretory cells?
neurons in the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary gland that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
What are neurohormones?
hormones released by neurosecretory cells
What hormone is secreted in a negative feedback loop in which high blood glucose is the stimulus?
insulin
What is the function of insulin?
body cells take up glucose and store it as glycogen
What hormone is secreted in a negative feedback loop in which low blood glucose is the stimulus?
glucagon
What is the function of glucagon?
stimulates the breakdown of glycogen into glucose
What is the sensor in blood glucose loops?
pancreas
What are the effectors in blood glucose loops?
- insulin/glucagon
- body cells
- muscle and liver
What is a stimulus in a negative feedback loop?
a change in level from homeostatic set point
What is the sensor in a negative feedback loop?
endocrine organ that detects a stimuli and initiates release of a signaling molecule
What is the effector in a negative feedback loop?
a hormone/other bodily component that acts to exhibit a response
What is the response in a negative feedback loop?
a response that opposes the initial stimulus and returns the body back to set point
What happens in a positive feedback loop?
a stimulus causes a response in the same direction as the initial stimulus