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Chapter 9: Q. 28 (page 252)

The same second messengers are used in many different cells, but the response to second messengers is different in each cell. How is this possible?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Same second messengers are used in various cells but different cells produce different proteins, therefore, responding to different ligands and activating different pathways.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1. Introduction

Second messengers refer to the small non-protein molecules that are used to propagate signals within the cell by changing the behavior of some cellular protein. Examples of second messengers are cyclic APM, diacylglycerol, calcium ions, and inositol triphosphate.

02

Step 2. Explanation 

Different cells produce different types of proteins with cell-surface receptors and signaling pathway components. As a result, they respond to various ligands, and the second messenger initiates different pathways. The result of signaling can be altered through signal integration.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What characteristics make yeasts a good model for learning about signaling in humans?

What is the function of a phosphatase?

a. A phosphatase removes phosphorylated amino acids from proteins.

b. A phosphatase removes the phosphate group from phosphorylated amino acid residues in a protein.

c. A phosphatase phosphorylates serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues.

d. A phosphatase degrades second messengers in the cell.

How does NF-κB induce gene expression?

a. A small, hydrophobic ligand binds to NF-κB, activating it.

b. Phosphorylation of the inhibitor Iκ-B dissociates the complex between it and NF-κB, and allows NF- κB to enter the nucleus and stimulate transcription.

c. NF-κB is phosphorylated and is then free to enter the nucleus and bind DNA.

d. NF-κB is a kinase that phosphorylates a transcription factor that binds DNA and promotes protein production.

What property enables the residues of the amino acids serine, threonine, and tyrosine to be phosphorylated?

a. They are polar.

b. They are non-polar.

c. They contain a hydroxyl group.

d. They occur more frequently in the amino acid sequence of signaling proteins.

What property prevents the ligands of cell-surface receptors from entering the cell?

a. The molecules bind to the extracellular domain.

b. The molecules are hydrophilic and cannot penetrate the hydrophobic interior of the plasma membrane.

c. The molecules are attached to transport proteins that deliver them through the bloodstream to target cells.

d. The ligands are able to penetrate the membrane and directly influence gene expression upon receptor binding.
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