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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements about second messengers in cell signaling is true?
A
Second messengers directly bind to extracellular ligands to initiate signaling.
B
Second messengers amplify the signal inside the cell after a receptor is activated.
C
Second messengers are always proteins embedded in the plasma membrane.
D
Second messengers are only found in prokaryotic cells.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of second messengers in cell signaling. Second messengers are small molecules or ions that relay signals received by cell surface receptors to target molecules inside the cell, amplifying the signal and triggering a cellular response.
Step 2: Analyze the first statement: 'Second messengers directly bind to extracellular ligands to initiate signaling.' This is incorrect because second messengers act inside the cell, not outside, and they do not directly bind to extracellular ligands.
Step 3: Evaluate the second statement: 'Second messengers amplify the signal inside the cell after a receptor is activated.' This is correct because second messengers, such as cyclic AMP (cAMP) or calcium ions (Ca²⁺), amplify the signal by activating downstream signaling pathways.
Step 4: Examine the third statement: 'Second messengers are always proteins embedded in the plasma membrane.' This is incorrect because second messengers are typically small molecules or ions, not proteins, and they are not embedded in the plasma membrane.
Step 5: Assess the fourth statement: 'Second messengers are only found in prokaryotic cells.' This is incorrect because second messengers are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, playing a crucial role in intracellular signaling in diverse organisms.