BIOC 3560 Study Guide - Final Guide: Neuromuscular Junction, Insulin Receptor, Signal Transduction
3 Feb 2018
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Document Summary
Signals represent information that is detected by specific receptors (ex. Signals are converted to a cellular response which involves a chemical process. Conversion of information into chemical change is called signal transduction. Few evolutionarily conserved mechanisms to detect an transduce signals are used: specificity. Signal molecule gits binding site on its complimentary receptor; other signals do not fit. Increased specificity tight binding low kd value. Multicellular organisms have additional specificity; some receptors are present in only certain cell types. 3 factors account for sensitivity of signal transducers. High affinity of receptors for signal molecules (kd= 10-10m) One ligand will bind and make the other three more sensitive to the next ligand that binds. Amplification of the signal by enzyme cascades: amplification. When enzymes activate enzymes, the number of affected molecules increases geometrically in an enzyme cascade: desensitization/adaptation. Receptor activation triggers a feedback circuit that shuts off the receptor or removes it from the cell surface.
