Table of contents

1. Overview of Cell Biology2h 49m
2. Chemical Components of Cells1h 14m
3. Energy1h 33m
4. DNA, Chromosomes, and Genomes2h 31m
5. DNA to RNA to Protein2h 31m
6. Proteins1h 36m
7. Gene Expression1h 42m
8. Membrane Structure1h 4m
- The Lipid Bilayer
  38m
- Membrane Proteins
  25m
9. Transport Across Membranes1h 52m
10. Anerobic Respiration1h 5m
11. Aerobic Respiration1h 11m
12. Photosynthesis52m
13. Intracellular Protein Transport2h 18m
14. Cell Signaling1h 28m
15. Cytoskeleton and Cell Movement1h 39m
16. Cell Division3h 5m
17. Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction50m
18. Cell Junctions and Tissues48m
19. Stem Cells13m
- Stem Cells
  13m
20. Cancer44m
21. The Immune System1h 6m
22. Techniques in Cell Biology1h 41m

14. Cell Signaling

Overview of Cell Surface Receptors

Cell Biology

14. Cell Signaling

Overview of Cell Surface Receptors

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Multiple Choice

How can a protein located outside the cell trigger events inside the cell?

By altering the cell's membrane potential through direct electrical contact

By directly passing through the plasma membrane and interacting with DNA

By binding to a cell surface receptor, which transmits a signal into the cell

By being engulfed by the cell through phagocytosis and degraded in lysosomes

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the problem: The question is asking how a protein located outside the cell can influence events inside the cell. This involves understanding the mechanisms of cell signaling and communication.

Step 1: Recall that most proteins outside the cell cannot directly pass through the plasma membrane because they are typically large and hydrophilic. The plasma membrane is selectively permeable and primarily allows small, nonpolar molecules to diffuse through.

Step 2: Recognize that proteins outside the cell often interact with the cell by binding to specific cell surface receptors. These receptors are embedded in the plasma membrane and are designed to recognize and bind specific signaling molecules (ligands).

Step 3: Once the protein (ligand) binds to the receptor, the receptor undergoes a conformational change. This change triggers intracellular signaling pathways, which can lead to various cellular responses, such as gene expression, enzyme activation, or changes in cell behavior.

Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options: (1) Proteins do not alter the membrane potential through direct electrical contact. (2) Proteins do not directly pass through the plasma membrane to interact with DNA. (3) While phagocytosis involves engulfing material, it is not the primary mechanism for signal transduction. The correct mechanism is signal transmission via cell surface receptors.