Signal Transduction (6.2) Flashcards
Describe signal transduction
Process of converting the original stimulus signal into a response
State what signal transduction involves
Change in signal form
State what the ability of a multicellular organism to detect and respond to stimuli relies upon
Cells communicating with each other
State what the process involved in a cell detecting and responding to a signalling molecule are referred to as
Signal transdution
State the 3 major steps of the stimulus-response model
- reception
- transduction
- cellular response
Describe reception as part of the stimulus-response model
The detection of the signalling molecule by a receptor
Describe transduction as part of the stimulus-response model
The relay of the signal into the cell
Describe cellular response as part of the stimulus-response model
The activation of cellular activity
State when signal transduction occurs
When a signalling molecule from outside the cell activates a specific receptor located on the cell surface or inside the cell
State 3 locations of the receptor which detects a signalling molecule
- plasma membrane
- cytosol
- nucleus
State what the position of a receptor depends upon
Signalling molecule is hydrophobic or hydrophilic
Describe the specificity of receptors
Receptors are specific
State whether or not receptors will only bind to particular signalling molecules
Yes. Receptors will only bind to specific signalling molecules.
State whether or not all cells are responsive to all signalling molecules.
No. All cells are not responsive to every signalling molecules.
Describe cascades
Multi-step transduction pathway
State the 2 different types of processes in transduction
- one-step
2. multi-step
Describe a one-step process of transduction
A signalling molecule binds to one receptor, producing a response
Describe a multi-step process of transduction
A signalling molecule binds to its receptor, activating different molecules
State what occurs post-transduction
A response is initiated
State 3 cellular responses that may follow transduction
- cellular activity (such as gene transcription)
- activation of enzymes
- secretion of signalling molecules
State the structure of most hydrophobic signalling molecules
Lipid-based molecules
State what hydrophobic signalling molecules are involved in
Gene regulation
State why lipid-based molecules can easily diffuse across the plasma membrane
Lipid soluble
State what hydrophobic signalling molecules bind to inside the target cell
Intracellular receptor
Describe 2 possible locations of an intracellular receptor
- nucleus
2. cytosol
State what steroid hormones are an example of
Lipid-based hydrophobic signalling molecules
State where steroid hormones bind to intracellular receptors
Cytosol
Once steroid hormones are bound to intracellular receptors state where they move to
Move from the cytosol through nuclear pores to the nucleus (final destination)
State what the signalling molecule-receptor acts as in the nucleus
Transcription factor
Provide 1 example of a hydrophobic signalling molecule
- steroid hormones
Provide 3 examples of hydrophilic signalling molecules
- peptide hormones
- neurotransmitters
3 cytokines
State why hydrophilic signalling molecules can diffuse through plasma membranes
Water soluble
State what the first step for all hydrophilic signalling molecules involves
Interaction of receptors on the external surface of the plasma membrane
State what receptors for the hydrophilic signalling molecules are classified as
Transmembrane proteins
State what the transmembrane proteins for hydrophilic signalling molecules are composed of
One or more protein molecules
State the 2 domains of transmembrane receptors
- extracellular domain
2. intracellular domain
State what the extracellular domain of transmembrane receptors is responsible for
Site of binding for the signalling molecule