Back to the full dot-point answer
SingaporeBiologyQuick questions
Cell Biology
Quick questions on Cell signalling and receptors: H2 Biology Cell Biology
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is reception?Show answer
A signal molecule (a ligand, such as a hormone or neurotransmitter) binds to a specific receptor protein. Binding is specific because the receptor's binding site is complementary in shape to the ligand, so only target cells bearing the right receptor respond.
What is transduction?Show answer
Binding changes the receptor's shape, triggering a series of intracellular changes that relay and often amplify the signal. This frequently involves a G protein, an enzyme, and a second messenger.
What is response?Show answer
The signal produces a cellular effect: an enzyme is activated, an ion channel opens, or a gene is switched on or off.
What is q1?Show answer
Name the three stages of cell signalling in order. [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain what is meant by a second messenger and give one example. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain why a single signal molecule can cause a large cellular response. [2 marks]
Have a question we have not covered?
This dot-point answer is short enough that we have not extracted many short questions yet. Read the full dot-point answer or ask Mo, our study assistant, in the chat for follow ups.