Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

10. Cell Signaling

Signal Amplification

General Biology

10. Cell Signaling

Signal Amplification

Previous problemNext problem

3:08 minutes

Problem 9b

Textbook Question

Steroid hormones, like most lipid-soluble signaling molecules, are processed directly. How does the absence of a signal transduction cascade in the processing of steroid hormones affect (b) signal regulation?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that steroid hormones are lipid-soluble, allowing them to pass through cell membranes easily and bind directly to intracellular receptors.

Recognize that the absence of a signal transduction cascade means that steroid hormones do not require a series of intermediary steps to relay their signal inside the cell.

Consider how direct binding to receptors affects signal regulation: the response is typically more straightforward and less modulated by other cellular components compared to pathways involving multiple steps.

Reflect on the implications of this direct action: the signal is less subject to amplification or attenuation, which can occur in multi-step cascades, leading to a more consistent and sustained response.

Conclude that while the direct pathway allows for rapid and specific responses, it may limit the cell's ability to finely tune the signal compared to more complex pathways with multiple regulatory points.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Steroid Hormones

Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble molecules derived from cholesterol, which can easily pass through cell membranes. Unlike peptide hormones, they do not require surface receptors and can directly interact with intracellular receptors, influencing gene expression and cellular function. This direct interaction allows for rapid and specific responses within target cells.

Signal Transduction Cascade

A signal transduction cascade is a series of molecular events initiated by the binding of a signaling molecule to a receptor, often involving multiple steps and amplification of the signal. This process typically involves secondary messengers and protein modifications, allowing for complex regulation and integration of signals, which can modulate cellular responses in a controlled manner.

Signal Regulation

Signal regulation refers to the mechanisms that control the intensity, duration, and specificity of a cellular response to a signaling molecule. In the absence of a signal transduction cascade, as seen with steroid hormones, regulation is primarily achieved through receptor availability, hormone concentration, and direct gene expression changes, leading to a more straightforward but less modulated response compared to cascades.

Watch next

Master Signal Amplification with a bite sized video explanation from Jason

Start learning

Related Videos

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Suppose you were to model amplification by the phosphorylation cascade in Figure 11.16, using a penny for each kinase 1, a nickel for each kinase 2, and a dime for each kinase 3. Also suppose that Ras and each of the kinases can activate 10 proteins. How much money would you need to construct your model?

553

views

Textbook Question

What is the significance of the observation that many signal transduction pathways create a network, where they intersect or overlap?

874

views

Textbook Question

Steroid hormones, like most lipid-soluble signaling molecules, are processed directly. How does the absence of a signal transduction cascade in the processing of steroid hormones affect (c) the cellular response that is possible?

Protein phosphorylation is commonly involved with which of the following?

A. ligand binding by receptor tyrosine kinases.

B. activation of G protein-coupled receptors.