A general signal transduction pathway is shown in the following figure - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 2 - 2006 - Paper 1
Question 2
A general signal transduction pathway is shown in the following figure. Some of the parts of the pathway are labelled.
M represents a compound which could initiate ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A general signal transduction pathway is shown in the following figure - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 2 - 2006 - Paper 1
Step 1
a. M represents a compound which could initiate signal transduction. Give an example of compound M.
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Answer
An example of compound M could be a hormone such as epinephrine. This molecule binds to receptors on the cell membrane, initiating the signal transduction pathway.
Step 2
b. The initiation of signal transduction in a cell is controlled and specific. Explain what feature ensures this specificity.
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The specificity of signal transduction is ensured by the presence of specific receptors on the target cell membrane. Each receptor is selective for a particular signaling molecule, allowing only certain signals to trigger a response in that cell.
Step 3
c. What type of molecules generally act as intermediate or relay molecules?
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Intermediate or relay molecules generally include proteins such as kinases and phosphatases. These molecules help in conveying the signal from the receptor to the downstream effectors within the cell.
Step 4
d. Name a response in the cell which may occur after signal transduction initiated by the compound M you named in part a.
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A possible response in the cell following signal transduction initiated by epinephrine could be the activation of glycogenolysis, which is the breakdown of glycogen into glucose, providing energy to the cell.
