Cell Communication Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is cell communication?
The process by which cells send and receive signals to coordinate their functions.
True or False: Cell communication is only important in multicellular organisms.
False
Fill in the blank: The main types of cell communication are ______, ______, and ______.
autocrine, paracrine, endocrine
What type of signaling involves cells communicating over long distances?
Endocrine signaling
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is an example of paracrine signaling? A) Hormone release into the bloodstream B) Neurotransmitter release between neurons C) Immune cell signaling D) All of the above
C) Immune cell signaling
What role do receptors play in cell communication?
Receptors bind to signaling molecules and initiate a response in the target cell.
True or False: All cells have the same receptors.
False
What is the term for signaling molecules that influence the behavior of the same cell that produces them?
Autocrine signaling molecules
Fill in the blank: The process by which a cell converts a signal into a functional response is called ______.
signal transduction
Multiple Choice: Which type of signaling is characterized by the release of neurotransmitters? A) Endocrine B) Paracrine C) Autocrine D) None of the above
B) Paracrine
What is the primary function of gap junctions?
To allow direct communication between adjacent cells.
True or False: Hormones are always proteins.
False
Fill in the blank: The signaling pathway that involves G-proteins is known as the ______ pathway.
G-protein coupled receptor
What does the term ‘ligand’ refer to in cell communication?
A molecule that binds to a receptor to initiate a signaling cascade.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of cell signaling? A) Autocrine B) Paracrine C) Exocrine D) Endocrine
C) Exocrine
What is the main difference between endocrine and paracrine signaling?
Endocrine signaling involves hormones traveling through the bloodstream, while paracrine signaling involves local signaling between nearby cells.
True or False: Signal transduction can amplify the strength of a signal.
True
What is the role of second messengers in cell communication?
They relay signals from receptors to target molecules inside the cell.
Fill in the blank: The molecule cyclic AMP (cAMP) is an example of a ______ messenger.
second
Multiple Choice: What is one effect of cell signaling? A) Cell division B) Metabolism regulation C) Cell differentiation D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What is a common effect of autocrine signaling?
Regulation of cell growth and activation of immune responses.
True or False: All signaling pathways lead to the same cellular response.
False
What is the term for the specific part of a cell that receives signaling molecules?
Receptor
Fill in the blank: The ______ model explains how receptors can change shape to transmit a signal.
induced fit
