Types of Signaling Molecules Overview

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Which of the following signaling molecules bind to intracellular receptors?

Neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and histamine

Growth factors like NGF and EGF

Peptide hormones like insulin and glucagon

Lipid-soluble hormones like steroids, thyroid hormone, and vitamin D3 (correct)

Which type of receptor recognizes and binds to signaling molecules that cannot cross the plasma membrane?

Intracellular receptors

Neither intracellular nor membrane receptors

Both intracellular and membrane receptors

Membrane receptors (correct)

Which of the following signaling molecules is a gas?

Nitric oxide (NO) (correct)

Insulin

Epinephrine

Prostaglandins

Which of the following statements about signaling molecules is correct?

Signaling molecules can initiate specific cellular responses in the target cell Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a type of signaling molecule that binds to cell-surface receptors?

Lipid-soluble hormones like steroids and thyroid hormone Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about autocrine signaling is correct?

Autocrine signaling involves cells producing signals that affect their own survival and proliferation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between endocrine signaling and paracrine signaling ?

Endocrine signaling involves secreted molecules that act on distant target cells, while paracrine signaling involves secreted molecules that act on neighboring target cells. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of steroid hormone signaling as described in the text?

Steroid hormones are secreted by endocrine cells and carried in the bloodstream. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of contact-dependent, or juxtacrine, cell-cell signaling mentioned in the text?

Signaling mediated by cadherin and integrin molecules. Signup and view all the answers

What type of signaling is characterized by differentiating cells producing signals to which they also respond?

Autocrine signaling Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a group of cells producing the same autocrine signal resulting in a strong signal for differentiation?

Community effect Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cell junction allows neighboring cells to share small molecules and respond to extracellular signals in a coordinated way?

Gap Junctions Signup and view all the answers

In complex multicellular organisms, what type of signaling is not sufficient to coordinate cell behavior due to the long distances between cells?

Synaptic signaling Signup and view all the answers

What enables nerve cells to contact target cells far away and secrete neurotransmitters at specialized cell junctions?

Chemical synapses Signup and view all the answers

What feature of animal cells allows each cell type to respond to specific sets of signal molecules to regulate behavior?

Receptor diversity Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a cell if it is deprived of appropriate survival signals?

It undergoes programmed cell death. Signup and view all the answers

How does acetylcholine affect heart muscle and salivary gland cells?

It reduces heart rate and stimulates secretion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of nitric oxide (NO) in regulating smooth muscle contraction in blood vessels?

It signals smooth muscle relaxation. Signup and view all the answers

How does acetylcholine indirectly affect smooth muscle cells in blood vessel walls?

By inducing endothelial cells to produce and release NO. Signup and view all the answers

In which year was nitric oxide (NO) recognized as the "Molecule of the Year"?

1992 Signup and view all the answers

What is the enzyme responsible for synthesizing nitric oxide from arginine amino acid?

Nitric oxide synthase Signup and view all the answers