Exploring Cell Signaling Pathways
Learning Objective
I can describe the main steps of cell signaling pathways.
Key Concepts
Autocrine signals affect the same cell that produces them, while paracrine signals affect nearby cells, and endocrine signals affect distant cells.
Hydrophobic ligands can diffuse across the cell membrane and bind to receptors inside the cell, whereas hydrophilic ligands bind to transmembrane receptors on the cell surface.
The three main classes of transmembrane receptors are G protein-coupled receptors, enzyme-coupled receptors, and ion channel receptors.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 8 practice questions to reinforce learning.
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1. What is the primary difference between paracrine and endocrine signaling?
2. Explain why hydrophobic signaling molecules require carrier proteins in the extracellular space.
3. Describe the three main stages of a cell signaling pathway.
...and 5 more questions
Educational Video
Common cell signaling pathway
Osmosis from Elsevier