Cell Signaling and Receptors Quiz

A common DNA damage resulting from the loss of a purine base (adenine or guanine) from the DNA molecule.

A DNA repair pathway that removes damaged bases from DNA and replaces them with the correct ones.

A DNA repair pathway that involves replacing a damaged segment of DNA with a new, undamaged segment.

A DNA repair pathway that can introduce DNA sequence errors, repairing multiple breaks quickly, but with increased inaccuracy.

Mobile genetic elements that move within the genome, often carrying antibiotic resistance genes.

A type of RNA virus that uses its RNA as a template to create more RNA.

The ability of a single gene to code for multiple proteins, depending on how its introns are spliced out.

A DNA repair pathway that uses a homologous chromosome as a template to repair a double-strand break.

A type of cell signaling where a cell releases signaling molecules that act on nearby cells.

Phosphorylation is a chemical modification that involves adding a phosphate group to a molecule. It is a reversible process, acting as a switch by turning on or off the activity of the protein.

Activation of phospholipase C (PLC) by the Gq trimeric GTPase leads to the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels which activates protein kinase C.

The two cell-surface receptors involved in cell signaling are the TGFβ receptor and the TNF receptor.

The Ras GTPase is activated by the EGFR receptor.

Delta binding onto Notch activates a transcriptional activator through the JAK–STAT pathway. This pathway leads to the expression of certain genes in the nucleus of neighboring cells.

Cell signaling is the process by which cells communicate with each other. This communication is essential for coordinating cellular activities and maintaining homeostasis.

A flipped classroom is a teaching method where students learn new material outside of class, often through online videos or readings, and then apply that knowledge in active learning activities in class.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) is a second messenger molecule that is produced in response to the activation of certain cell surface receptors. IP3 diffuses through the cytosol and binds to IP3 receptors, which are calcium channels located on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. This binding causes the IP3 receptors to open, releasing calcium ions (Ca2+) from the ER into the cytosol.

The phototransduction cascade in the eye is a series of events that occur in response to the absorption of light by photoreceptor cells. The product of light activation, a molecule called retinal, activates a G-protein called transducin. This activates a cGMP phosphodiesterase, an enzyme that breaks down cyclic GMP (cGMP). Lowering cGMP levels closes cation channels, hyperpolarizing the photoreceptor cell and sending a signal to the optic nerve.

Cytokines are signaling molecules that are involved in cell-to-cell communication. They bind to cytokine receptors on the cell surface, activating a signaling pathway that involves Janus kinases (JAKs) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs). This pathway ultimately leads to the regulation of gene expression.

The -10 hexamer is a sequence of six nucleotides located 10 nucleotides upstream from the transcription start site. This sequence is recognized by the sigma factor of RNA polymerase, which helps to initiate transcription. The transcription start site is the first nucleotide that is transcribed into mRNA.

Exon skipping is a type of alternative splicing that results in the removal of one or more exons from a pre-mRNA transcript. This can lead to the production of multiple protein isoforms from a single gene.

The 3' poly-A tail is a string of adenine nucleotides that is added to the 3' end of eukaryotic mRNAs. It plays a role in protecting the mRNA from degradation, increasing its stability, and promoting efficient translation.

Dithiothreitol (DTT) is a reducing agent that breaks disulfide bonds by adding hydrogen atoms to sulfur atoms, resulting in the reduction of disulfide bridges to free sulfhydryl groups.

Collagen is a fibrous protein that is the primary structural component of bones, tendons, and skin. It is responsible for providing strength and flexibility to these tissues.

Proteins targeted for degradation are tagged with ubiquitin, a small protein. Ubiquitin acts as a signal for the proteasome, a cellular machine, to recognize and degrade the tagged protein.

Hydrogen bonds between the N-H and C=O groups within the polypeptide backbone are crucial for stabilizing secondary structures like α-helices and β-sheets.

When unfolded proteins are allowed to refold into their original conformations, it suggests that the original conformation is energetically favored and determined by the amino acid sequence itself.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is an ionic detergent that denatures proteins. It disrupts non-covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, causing the protein to unfold.

The E2-E3 ligase complex is responsible for recognizing and attaching ubiquitin to target proteins, driving them towards degradation by the proteasome.

Mutations in DNA can lead to amino acid substitutions that can disrupt the secondary structure elements (α-helices and β-sheets) of proteins, ultimately affecting their overall conformation and function.

A genetic disorder that affects the blood clotting ability of an individual, often causing excessive bleeding, commonly caused by a recessive mutation in the gene that produces clotting factor VIII or IX on the X chromosome

When a female carries a copy of the affected gene on one of her X chromosomes, but does not exhibit the disease herself due to the presence of a normal copy of the gene on her other X chromosome

A pattern of inheritance where a trait or disorder is passed down through generations, primarily affecting males, and where females are more likely to be carriers.

A technique that measures the concentration of DNA or RNA in a sample by amplifying the target sequence and monitoring the increase in fluorescence during PCR.

The likelihood that a child will inherit the affected gene from their parents, based on their genotype. This can vary depending on the mode of inheritance and the genotypes of the parents

A variation of qPCR that measures the concentration of mRNA in a sample. It includes reverse transcription to convert RNA into cDNA before amplification.

A situation where a genetic condition is caused by a mutation in both copies of a gene, one from each parent.

When a person carries one copy of the affected gene and one copy of the normal gene. They typically do not show the disease, but have a chance of passing on the mutated gene to their children.

A technique that uses antibodies to detect and quantify specific proteins in a sample. It involves separating proteins by size, transferring them to a membrane, and then using antibodies to bind to the target protein.

A diagram that shows the inheritance pattern of a trait or disorder within a family, often used to track inherited conditions and determine the likelihood of passing on a gene

A technique that measures the concentration of a specific protein using antibodies in a 96-well plate format. It's a very sensitive and quantitative method.

Probability of the mother being a carrier, multiplied by the probability of the child inheriting the affected gene from her. This rule is used to calculate the overall chance of a child inheriting a disease

A technique that allows the visualization of the location of a specific protein within a cell or tissue. Antibodies are used to bind to the target protein, and then a fluorescent dye or other marker is used to visualize the location.

When using qrt-PCR, it's important to have a control sample. This sample is treated exactly the same as the experimental sample, but it does not receive the treatment or condition you are investigating. Its purpose is to ensure that any changes observed in the experimental sample are due to the treatment and not some other factor.

A technique that measures the concentration of a specific protein by measuring the amount of light it absorbs. It's fast and simple but can be less sensitive than other methods.

A technique that uses antibodies labeled with fluorescent dyes to detect and quantify specific proteins in a sample. It is particularly useful for visualizing the location of proteins within cells or tissues.