Cell Communication – Introduction and SRs – Flashcards
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The space into which neurotransmitters are released:
In synaptic signaling, neurotransmitters are released into a space that is referred to as a:
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chemical synapse.
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Type of signaling induced by glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids:
Addison's disease is a disorder that results from a reduction in production of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Individuals with Addison's disease suffer from a variety of systemic symptoms including: muscle weakness, fever, issues with the gastrointestinal tract, and increased tanning. Considering this information, what type of signaling do you think that glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids stimulate?
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Endocrine
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The molecules that convert extracellular signals to intracellular signals:
These molecules can directly convert extracellular signals into intracellular signals.
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Membrane receptors
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What is the function of a protein kinase?
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To add phosphate groups onto proteins
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Why are phosphorylation and dephosphorylation reactions commonly used to regulate signal transduction pathways?
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The addition or removal of a phosphate group can expose or hide potential binding sites in proteins or change protein activity.
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If Ras and SOS cannot interact, what would be the effect on signaling?
The protein SOS is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Ras. SOS helps facilitate the exchange of GDP for GTP. What would be the effect of a mutation that inhibits the interaction between SOS and Ras?
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GDP would remain bound to Ras, thereby preventing Ras activation.
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Large intracellular response due to activation of kinase cascades is referred to as what?
A small number of cell surface receptors can ultimately generate a large intracellular response due to activation of kinase cascades. This is referred to as:
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signal amplification.
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Transmitting the signal into the cytoplasm:
Some enzymatic receptors and most G protein-coupled receptors transmit the signal into the cytoplasm by utilizing other substances within the cytoplasm that are referred to as:
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second messengers.
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How does activation of the testosterone receptor lead to an increase in gene transcription?
What is the mechanism by which binding of testosterone to the testosterone receptor leads to upregulated gene transcription?
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Binding of testosterone to the testosterone receptor leads to a conformational change that allows the receptor to enter the nucleus where it can bind to DNA and promote gene transcription.
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A mutation in the DNA-binding domain of a steroid hormone receptor is most likely to affect what aspect of receptor function?
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The cellular response to the hormone
