Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which second messenger most directly causes calcium ions to be released from intracellular stores?
A
cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate)
B
IP3 (inositol trisphosphate)
C
DAG (diacylglycerol)
D
cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of second messengers in cellular signaling: Second messengers are molecules that relay signals received at receptors on the cell surface to target molecules inside the cell, creating a cascade of biochemical events.
Identify the function of each second messenger listed: cGMP, cAMP, DAG, and IP3. Each of these molecules has a specific role in cellular signaling pathways.
Focus on IP3 (inositol trisphosphate): IP3 is known to bind to receptors on the endoplasmic reticulum, which leads to the release of calcium ions from intracellular stores into the cytoplasm.
Recognize the mechanism of calcium release: When IP3 binds to its receptor, it triggers the opening of calcium channels in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, allowing calcium ions to flow into the cytoplasm.
Conclude that IP3 is the second messenger that most directly causes the release of calcium ions from intracellular stores, as it directly interacts with the calcium channels on the endoplasmic reticulum.