Ch07 Test File-Cell Signaling and Communication

Test File
to accompany
Life: The Science of Biology, Ninth Edition
Sadava • Hillis • Heller • Berenbaum
Chapter 7: Cell Signaling and Communication
TEST FILE QUESTIONS

(By Catherine Ueckert)
Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following statements about cell signaling in voles is false?

a. A signal transduction pathway can bring about changes in behavior.
b. Oxytocin and vasopressin are signals that induce bonding and caring behaviors in
voles.
c. Oxytocin acts as a signal for premating behaviors.
d. The interaction of the receptor and the signal causes the receptor to change shape.
e. Although oxytocin and vasopressin are widely circulated in the bloodstream, they only
bind to a few cell types.
Answer: c
Textbook Reference: 7.0 Love signals
Page: 128
Bloom’s Category: 2. Understanding
2. Which of the following statements is true?

a. Eukaryotic, but not prokaryotic, cells process information from their environment.
b. Prokaryotic, but not eukaryotic, cells process information from their environment.
c. The mere presence of a signal will cause a cell to respond to it.
d. Light can be a signal.
e. Sense organs allow cells to respond to physical signals but not chemical signals.
Answer: d
Textbook Reference: 7.1 What Are Signals, and How Do Cells Respond to Them?
Page: 129
3. To respond to a signal, a cell must have a(n) _______ molecule that can detect the
signal.
a. paracrine
b. receptor
c. autocrine
d. responder
e. All of the above
Answer: b
Page: 129
4. Which of the following statements is false?

a. Plants respond to light as a signal.
b. The environment experienced by a cell deep inside a large multicellular organism is
very different from the external environment.
c. Some plants are capable of responding to temperature fluctuations.
d. Some cells can self-stimulate cell division by making their own division signals.
e. None of the above
Answer: e
Page: 129
5. Most of the chemical signals coming to a cell deep inside a multicellular organism
come from
a. the external environment.
b. the lymphatic system.
c. other cells.
d. the nervous system.
Answer: c
Page: 129
6. The first component of a signal transduction pathway is a(n)

a. paracrine molecule.
b. responder.
c. receptor.
d. hormone.
e. effector molecule.
Answer: c
Page: 129
7. Signals reach target cells in multicellular organisms via _______ and _______.
a. circulation; diffusion
b. conduction; diffusion
c. circulation; perspiration
d. chaperon trafficking; transmembrane transport
e. cytoskeletal trafficking; perfusion
Answer: a
Page: 129
8. Cells receive which of the following signals?

a. Light
b. Sound
c. Odorants
d. Hormones
e. All of the above
Answer: e
Page: 129–130
Bloom’s Category: 1. Remembering
9. The signals that bind to receptors of the same cell that made them are known as
a. paracrine signals.
b. parasitic signals.
c. autocrine signals.
d. hormones.
e. responders.
Answer: c
Page: 130
10. The signals that bind to receptors on nearby cells are known as
d. hormones.
e. responders.
Answer: a
Page: 130
11. Signals that travel to distant cells through the circulatory system are known as
d. hormones.
e. responders.
Answer: d
Page: 130
12. Which of the following is most likely to involve the circulatory system?
a. Paracrine signals
b. Parasitic signals
c. Autocrine signals
d. Hormones
e. Responders
Answer: d
Page: 130
13. The transmembrane protein EnvZ in a signal transduction pathway found in E. coli is
an example of a(n)
a. autocrine molecule.
b. transductor.
c. responder.
d. hormone.
Answer: e
Page: 131
Bloom’s Category: 4. Analyzing
14. In the E. coli signal transduction pathway, changes in the aqueous media cause part of
the receptor to undergo a change in
a. responder.
b. conformation.
c. hormonal activity.
d. amplification.
e. extracellular environment.
Answer: b
Page: 131
15. The conformational change in EnvZ causes it to become a(n)

a. autocrine receptor.
b. responder.
c. ligand.
d. protein kinase.
e. phosphate group.
Answer: d
Page: 131
16. Which of the following is true about EnvZ?

a. It phosphorylates itself during signal transduction.
b. It has domains on both the inside and the outside of the cell.
c. It acts as a responder.
d. Both a and b
e. All of the above
Answer: d
Page: 131
17. The second component of a signal transduction pathway is known as a

a. receptor.
b. hormone.
c. responder.
d. transducer.
Answer: c
Page: 132
18. In general, all cell signaling causes

a. increased expression of genes.
b. an influx of ions.
c. protein kinase activity.
d. G protein activation.
e. a change in receptor conformation.
Answer: e
Page: 132
19. In order, from start to finish, the basic steps of a signal transduction pathway are
a. signal, responder, receptor, effects.
b. receptor, signal, responder, effects.
c. signal, receptor, responder, effects.
d. signal, receiver, responder, effects.
Answer: c
Page: 132
20. In the E. coli signal transduction pathway, which of the following protein molecules
acts as the responder?
a. OmpR
b. EnvZ
c. SORp
d. Autocrine
Answer: a
Page: 132
21. The phosphorylation and change in shape of the responder in the E. coli signaling
transduction pathway is a key event in signaling for which of the following reasons?
a. The signal that originally was on the outside of the cell has been transduced to a
protein that exists totally within the cell’s cytoplasm.
b. The signal has been amplified.
c. The altered responder can bind to DNA and stimulate transcription of one or more
genes.
d. Both a and c
e. All of the above
Answer: e
Page: 132
22. In the E. coli signaling transduction pathway, which of the following is true about the
OmpR protein?
a. When phosphorylated, it acts as a transcription factor for OmpC.
b. It exists both inside and outside the cell membrane.
c. It is a receptor.
d. Both a and b
e. All of the above
Answer: a
Page: 132
23. In the E. coli signaling transduction pathway, which of the following is true about
OmpC?
a. It is a transcription factor.
b. It can insert itself into the outer membrane, resulting in the eventual restoration of
homeostasis.
c. It phosphorylates other proteins.
d. It is a receptor.
Answer: b
Page: 132
24. Which of the following is false?

a. Cells are bombarded with numerous signals, but they respond to only a few.
b. A cell’s receptors determine whether or not the cell will respond to a signal.
c. Receptor proteins are very specific.
d. There are only a few kinds of signal receptor proteins.
Answer: d
Textbook Reference: 7.2 How Do Signal Receptors Initiate a Cellular Response?
Page: 132
25. A molecule that binds to the particular three-dimensional structure of another

molecule’s receptor site is known as a(n)
a. responder.
b. receptor.
c. ligand.
d. ion channel.
e. filament.
Answer: c
Page: 132
26. In what way do ligand–receptor interactions differ from enzyme–substrate reactions?

a. The ligand signal is not usually metabolized into useful products.
b. Receptor–ligand interactions do not obey the laws of mass action.
c. Inhibitors never bind to the ligand-binding site.
d. Reversibility never occurs in the ligand–receptor interaction.
e. The enzyme–substrate reaction and the ligand–receptor interaction do not differ.
Answer: a
Page: 132
27. Which of the following is true?

a. For most ligand–receptor complexes, binding is favored.
b. Ligand–receptor interactions are reversible.
c. Many drugs that alter human behavior prevent binding of receptors’ specific ligands.
d. Both a and b
e. All of the above
Answer: e
Page: 132–133
28. Caffeine mimics the molecular structure of

a. paracrine.
b. aspirin.
c. adenosine.
d. autocrine.
Answer: c
Page: 133
29. Signal molecules can be divided into two general classes according to their receptors.
What are these two kinds of receptors?
a. Plasma membrane and ion channel
b. Plasma membrane and protein kinase
c. Ion channel and protein kinase
d. G protein-linked and protein kinase
Answer: e
Page: 133
30. The receptor of estrogen

a. is an ion channel receptor.
b. is a protein kinase receptor.
c. exists within the plasma membrane.
d. exists within the cytoplasm.
Answer: d
Page: 133
31. Vitamin A is a relatively small, lipid-soluble molecule that can behave as a hormone.
Its receptor
a. is an ion channel receptor.
b. is a protein kinase receptor.
c. involves a G protein.
d. is not connected to the plasma membrane.
e. does not exist; vitamin A does not have a receptor.
Answer: d
Page: 133
32. Which of the following molecules has an ion channel receptor?

a. Insulin
b. Estrogen
c. Acetylcholine
d. Lithium
Answer: c
Page: 134
33. Which of the following is true about acetylcholine?

a. It binds to a sodium channel receptor.
b. It acts as a neurotransmitter.
c. The binding of two molecules of acetylcholine to a receptor are required to open the
channel.
d. It moves against the concentration gradient.
e. All of the above
Answer: e
Page: 134
34. Which of the following strongly binds to the acetylcholine receptor?

a. Estrogen
b. Acetylcholine
c. Sodium
d. OmpC
e. Protein kinases
Answer: b
Page: 134
35. Which of the following molecules has a protein kinase receptor?

a. Insulin
b. Estrogen
c. Acetylcholine
d. Sodium
e. G proteins
Answer: a
Page: 134
36. Which of the following statements about the insulin receptor is false?
a. It autophosphorylates.
b. It requires binding by two insulin molecules to be activated.
c. It catalyzes the phosphorylation of insulin response substrates.
d. It is located entirely within the cytoplasm.
Answer: d
Page: 134
37. After the GTP-bound subunit of the G protein separates from the rest of the G protein,
it travels until it encounters
a. an activator.
b. a receptor.
c. an effector protein.
d. a protein kinase.
e. another G protein.
Answer: c
Page: 134
38. For a G protein to play its part in moving events forward in a signal pathway,
a. GDP must be released, and a GTP must occupy the nucleotide-binding site.
b. GTP must be released, and a GDP must occupy the nucleotide-binding site.
c. cGMP must occupy the otherwise empty nucleotide-binding site.
d. cGMP must leave the otherwise occupied nucleotide-binding site.
Answer: a
Page: 134

a. G proteins contain only one important binding site.
b. When a G protein binds to an activated receptor protein, ADP is exchanged for ATP.
c. G protein receptors are single proteins that have seven distinct regions that pass
through the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane.
d. G proteins can only activate effector proteins; they cannot inhibit them.
Answer: c
Page: 134–135
40. If a G protein were unable to release its bound nucleotide but could hydrolyze it,
signal transduction would
a. cease.
b. be continuous.
c. be unaffected.
d. be constantly switching on and off.
e. be unpredictable.
Answer: a
Page: 135
Bloom’s Category: 3. Applying
41. If a G protein were able to release its bound nucleotide but not to hydrolyze it, signal
transduction would
a. cease.
b. be continuous.
c. be unaffected.
d. be constantly switching on and off.
e. be unpredictable.
Answer: b
Page: 135
42. Which of the following would likely not be observed in a person injected with
epinephrine?
a. Contraction of muscles surrounding the blood vessels that line the digestive tract
b. Increased activity of heart muscle
c. Increased glucose mobilization
d. Activation of G proteins
e. All of the above would occur.
Answer: a
Page: 135
43. Which of the following is true?

a. Direct transduction is more common than indirect transduction.
b. In indirect transduction, second messengers mediate the interaction between the
receptor and the cell’s response.
c. Amplification never occurs via second messengers.
d. Indirect transduction occurs at the plasma membrane.
e. All of the above
Answer: b
Textbook Reference: 7.3 How Is the Response to a Signal Transduced through the Cell?
Page: 136
44. What is the G protein that has been found in many human bladder cancers?
a. Acetylcholine
b. Rap
c. Ras
d. Rats
Answer: c
Page: 136
45. Which of the following is true about the abnormal form of Ras found in bladder
cancer cells?
a. Because it is inactive, it is unable to inhibit growth factors.
b. It is always active because it is continuously bound to GTP.
c. If it were inhibited, cells would continue to divide.
d. It acts as an ion channel receptor.
e. It stimulates epinephrine.
Answer: b
Page: 136
46. A benefit of the many steps involved in protein kinase cascades is that they allow for
a. some specificity of the response.
b. amplification of the signal.
c. information to be communicated to the nucleus.
d. variation in the response.
e. All of the above
Answer: e
Page: 137
47. How does a protein kinase cascade amplify an intercellular signal?

a. Protein kinase opens cell junctions, amplifying the intercellular signal.
b. The activated G protein binds and activates a second protein, amplifying the signal.
c. Nitric oxide opens cell channels, which allows protein kinase molecules to move
quickly from cell to cell.
d. Second messengers create shortcuts that create multiple cascades.
e. One activated receptor kinase molecule can trigger the activation of thousands of
proteins.
Answer: e
Page: 137
48. During what part of the signal transduction pathway is Ras activated?
a. Early in the pathway
b. Around the midpoint
c. Late in the pathway
d. All along the pathway
Answer: a
Page: 137
49. Which molecule acts as a second messenger in the cascade by which epinephrine
stimulates the activation of the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase?
a. Adenosine
b. Caffeine
c. Citric acid
d. Cyclic AMP
e. Adenylyl cyclase
Answer: d
Page: 138
50. Second messengers

a. are typically very specific in their activity.
b. do not amplify a signal.
c. have enzymatic activity.
d. can be derived from lipids.
e. All of the above
Answer: d
Page: 138
51. Which of the following statements about cyclic AMP is false?

a. It can bind to, and thus open, ion channels in some sensory cells.
b. In some circumstances it can bind to a protein kinase in the cytoplasm.
c. The enzyme adenylyl cyclase catalyzes its formation from ATP.
d. It is a second messenger.
e. It has enzymatic activity.
Answer: e
Page: 138

a. Diacylglycerol can act as a second messenger.
b. Inositol triphosphate can act as a second messenger.
c. Protein kinase C can phosphorylate a wide variety of proteins.
d. Inositol triphosphate remains bound to the membrane after phospholipase C catalyzes
its formation.
e. Inositol triphosphate can open an ion channel, releasing calcium into the cytoplasm.
Answer: d
Page: 138
53. The concentration of cAMP in a cell is increased by

a. phosphodiesterase.
b. cGMP.
c. a protein kinase.
d. a second messenger.
e. a G protein.
Answer: e
Page: 138–139
54. The hydrolysis of PIP2 results in

a. inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol.
b. inositol triphosphate and cyclic AMP.
c. two second messengers.
d. Both a and c
e. Both b and c
Answer: d
Page: 139
55. IP3 is released into the cytoplasm when PIP2 is hydrolyzed. IP3
a. opens Ca2+ channels.
b. closes Ca2+ channels.
c. stimulates G protein activation of phospholipase C.
d. activates cyclic AMP.
e. produces calcium-binding protein S4.
Answer: a
Page: 139
56. Lithium can be effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder because it

a. opens up the lithium ion channel.
b. acts as a second messenger accelerating the IP3/DAG signal transduction pathway.
c. inhibits G protein activation of phospholipase C and inhibits synthesis of IP3.
d. changes the osmotic balance of cells.
e. acts as a neurotransmitter.
Answer: c
Page: 140
57. Which of the following statements about calcium is true?

a. Calcium ions are more concentrated inside than outside the cell.
b. Active transport maintains the concentration difference of calcium ions.
c. A cell can increase intracellular concentrations of calcium by making more calcium.
d. IP3 is the only signal that causes calcium channels to open.
e. It inhibits cell division in fertilized eggs.
Answer: b
Page: 140

a. Calcium ions can stimulate their own release from intracellular stores.
b. The opening of calcium channels takes place relatively slowly, from seconds to
minutes.
c. Calcium ions can act as second messengers.
d. The entry of a sperm into an egg causes a massive opening of calcium channels.
e. Increases in calcium can result in the activation of protein kinase C.
Answer: b
Page: 140
59. Viagra, used to treat erectile dysfunction, acts by means of the release of the second
messenger
a. cyclic AMP.
b. calcium ion.
c. nitric oxide.
d. calmodulin.
e. acetylcholine.
Answer: c
Page: 140
60. Which of the following about nitric oxide is true?

a. Because it is chemically stable, it is able to travel relatively long distances.
b. It does not diffuse readily.
c. It is released by nitroglycerin, resulting in the relaxation of blood vessels.
d. Calcium ions inhibit the enzyme that catalyzes nitric oxide.
e. All of the above
Answer: c
Page: 140
61. Increased synthesis of phosphodiesterase would lead to

a. decreased concentration of cyclic AMP.
b. increased concentration of cyclic AMP.
c. increased concentration of calmodium.
d. decreased concentration of calmodium.
e. inhibition of adenylyl cyclase.
Answer: a
Page: 141

a. Some mammals have over 1,000 genes for odor signal receptors.
b. The signal transduction pathway triggered by odorant molecules results in the opening
of ion channels.
c. Each of the thousands of neurons in the nose expresses one of the odor signal
receptors.
d. Odorant receptors are G protein-linked.
e. All of the above
Answer: e
Textbook Reference: 7.4 How Do Cells Change in Response to Signals?
Page: 142
63. Which of the following is not involved in the signaling cascade after the odorant
molecule binds to its receptor?
a. Activation of a G protein
b. Cyclic AMP used as a second messenger
c. Nitric oxide used as second messenger
d. Gated opening of ion channels
e. All of the above are involved in the signaling cascade.
Answer: c
Page: 143
64. Which of the following represents the correct ordering of the molecules that are
activated by a single molecule of epinephrine, from highest number of molecules to
lowest number of molecules?
a. cAMP, protein kinase A, phosphorylase kinase, glycogen phosphorylase
b. Glycogen phosphorylase, phosphorylase kinase, protein kinase A, cAMP
c. cAMP, phosphorylase kinase, glycogen phosphorylase, protein kinase A
d. Glycogen phosphorylase, cAMP, protein kinase A, phosphorylase kinase
e. Phosphorylase kinase, glycogen phosphorylase, cAMP, protein kinase A
Answer: b
Page: 143
65. The G protein-mediated cascade stimulated by epinephrine results in the

phosphorylation of two key enzymes. The eventual results of this phosphorylation are the
_______ of glycogen synthase and the _______ of glycogen phosphorylase.
a. stimulation; stimulation
b. stimulation; inhibition
c. inhibition; stimulation
d. inhibition; inhibition
e. inhibition; introversion
Answer: c
Page: 143
66. Which of the following statements about gap junctions is true?

a. They generally occupy less than 5 percent of the area of the plasma membrane.
b. They are specialized structures that permit metabolic cooperation among the linked
cells.
c. They occur only in plants.
d. They are made of G proteins.
e. All of the above
Answer: b
Textbook Reference: 7.5 How Do Cells Communicate Directly?
Page: 144

a. Most cells are in contact with their neighbors.
b. Tight junctions are specialized for intercellular communication.
c. Desmosomes are specialized for intercellular communication.
d. Gap junctions are channels between adjacent cells.
e. All of the above
Answer: a
Page: 144
68. Which of the following are specialized cell junctions that allow neighboring cells to
communicate directly?
a. Tight junctions
b. Gap junctions
c. Desmosomes
d. Ion channels
e. G proteins
Answer: b
Page: 144
69. Gap junctions transverse the gap between plasma membranes of two cells by means
of
a. plasmodesmata.
b. desmosomes.
c. connexons.
d. cyclic AMP.
e. direct transduction.
Answer: c
Page: 144
70. In gap junctions, the channel pores permit the transport of

a. small signal molecules.
b. ions.
c. proteins.
d. Both a and b
e. All of the above
Answer: d
Page: 144–145
71. Which of the following statements about plasmodesmata is false?

a. Plasmodesmata are lined by the fused membranes themselves.
b. Plasmodesmata are larger than a gap junction channel.
c. The desmotubule is probably derived from the endoplasmic reticulum.
d. Only small metabolites and ions can move between plant cells.
e. Plasmodesmata are specialized for intercellular communication.
Answer: e
Page: 144–145
72. The membrane-lined bridges spanning the cell walls between plant cells are known as
a. gap junctions.
b. tight junctions.
c. plasmodia.
d. plasmodesmata.
e. G protein receptors.
Answer: d
Page: 145
73. Which of the following is a similarity of animal and plant cells?

a. The connections between cells in both are lined by the fused plasma membranes
themselves.
b. The space available for diffusion is about the same in both.
c. Both have tiny circulatory vessels (capillaries) to bring gases and nutrients to every
cell.
d. All of the above
Answer: b
Page: 145
74. Which of the following statements about plasmodesmata is true?

a. They are not merely passive channels, but can be regulated.
b. They are derived from integral proteins from adjacent plasma membranes.
c. Their diameter is much smaller than that of a gap junction.
d. Large proteins can move between plant cells because of them.
e. All of the above
Answer: a
Page: 145
75. Which structure narrows the opening of the plasmodesma?

a. A gap junction
b. Connexons
c. A desmotubule
d. A ligand
e. A protein kinase
Answer: c
Page: 145
Fill in the Blank
1. _______ and _______ are two signals that induce bonding and caring behaviors in
voles.
Answer: Oxytocin; vasopressin
Textbook Reference: 7.0 Love signals
Page: 128–129
2. To respond to a signal, a cell must have a specific _______ that can detect the signal.
Answer: receptor
Page: 129
3. Signals that diffuse to and affect nearby cells are known as _______ signals.
Answer: paracrine
Page: 130
4. Usually transported via the circulatory system, _______ are signals sent to distant
cells.
Answer: hormones
Page: 130
5. The entire signaling process is known as the signal _______ pathway. Its first
component is called the _______, and its second component is known as the _______.
Answer: transduction; receptor; responder
Page: 131–132
6. Phosphorylated OmpR is a(n) _______ factor; by binding to the promoter of OmpC, it

changes the expression of the latter gene.
Answer: transcription
Page: 132
7. Phosphorylation changes the _______ and _______ of a protein.

Answer: shape; function
Page: 132
8. A molecule that binds to a receptor site in another molecule is known as a(n) _______.
Answer: ligand
Page: 132
9. Caffeine restores wakefulness because it binds to receptors for _______, thus

preventing this chemical from causing drowsiness.
Answer: adenosine
Page: 133
10. Caffeine indirectly stimulates the signaling pathway associated with the “fight-or-
flight” response normally stimulated by _______.
Answer: epinephrine (or adrenaline)
Page: 133
11. Located inside the cell, _______ receptors bind to signals that can diffuse across the
plasma membrane.
Answer: cytoplasmic
Page: 133
12. When _______ (number) molecules of acetylcholine bind to its receptor, the ion
channel opens briefly, allowing sodium ions to rush into the cell.
Answer: two
Page: 134
13. When activated, some receptor proteins catalyze the transfer of a(n) _______ group
from ATP to a specific protein. Such receptor proteins are known as protein _______.
Answer: phosphate; kinases
Page: 134
14. Signaling proteins that are characterized by their ability to bind GTP and GDP are
known as _______ proteins.
Answer: G
Page: 134
15. In _______ transduction, the more common mode of transduction, another molecule,
known as a(n) _______ mediates further interaction between the receptor and the
response of the cell.
Answer: indirect; second messenger
Page: 136
16. A protein found in abnormal form in many human bladder cancer cells, _______, is a
G protein.
Answer: Ras
Page: 136
17. _______ is a second messenger found in the pathway by which epinephrine activates
the liver enzyme that breaks down glycogen.
Answer: Cyclic AMP (cAMP)
Page: 138
18. The enzyme phospholipase C breaks down PIP2 into two molecules, _______ and
_______, both of which can function as second messengers.
Answer: diacylglycerol (DAG); inositol triphosphate (IP3)
Page: 139
19. Used to treat bipolar disorder, _______ acts by inhibiting the G protein activation of
phospholipase C.
Answer: lithium
Page: 139–140
20. The entry of a sperm into an egg causes a massive opening of _______ channels.
Answer: calcium
Page: 140
21. The second messenger involved in the therapeutic use of Viagra is _______.
Answer: nitric oxide (NO)
Page: 140–141
22. The binding of a single molecule of epinephrine to a receptor can result in the
activation of 1,000 molecules of glycogen phosphorylase. This result of the signaling
transduction cascade is an example of the phenomenon known as _______.
Answer: amplification
Page: 143
23. The plasmodesma is partially filled with a tubule called the _______.
Answer: desmotubule
Page: 144
24. Channels that permit metabolic cooperation among adjacent animal cells are known
as _______.
Answer: gap junctions
Page: 144
Diagram
1. Label each of the four steps (Effects, Receptor, Responder, Signal) in the diagram
below.
Answer: 1. Signal, 2. Receptor, 3. Responder, 4. Effects
Page: 131
2. Draw what would happen when a hormone binds to a receptor, as shown in the
diagram below.
Answer:

Page: 135
3. In the diagram below, where and how would lithium interact with the pathway?
Answer:
Lithium would inhibit the G protein activation of phospholipase C and the generation of
IP3.
Page: 139
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS

(By Ed Dzialowski)
Knowledge and Synthesis

1. Which of the following does not occur during signal transduction?
a. Binding of ligand to receptor
b. Conformational change to the receptor protein
c. Conformational change of the signal
d. Alteration of cellular activity
e. Conformational change in the ligand
Answer: c
Feedback: In order for signal transduction to take place, the ligand must bind to the
receptor, the receptor must undergo a conformational change, and the activity of the cell
must be altered.
Page: 130–132
2. E. coli cells respond to osmotic changes by

a. changing the permeability of the membrane.
b. changing the DNA that is transcribed.
c. phosphorylating OmpR.
d. binding the ligand to EnvZ.
e. increasing metabolism.
Answer: a
Feedback: The ultimate goal of any signaling pathway is an alteration in the function of
the cell in response to the signal.
Page: 131
3. What do G protein-linked receptors and protein kinases have in common?

a. Ligand binding
b. Conformational change once the ligand is bound
c. Amplification of the signal
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Feedback: All types of receptors bind ligands, undergo conformational change, and
amplify the signal.
Page: 135–136
4. Signal binding to a receptor differs from enzyme–substrate binding in that

a. in signal binding the signal is not altered during the process.
b. the single-binding process is reversible.
c. in signal binding, cell receptors can become saturated by signal molecules.
d. signal binding can be inhibited by an antagonist.
Answer: a
Feedback: Substrates are altered in enzyme–substrate complexes. Signals are not altered
when they bind to receptors.
Page: 132
5. Which of the following statements about secondary messengers is true?

a. They amplify the signal.
b. They bind to the active site of the receptor.
c. They result in multiple effects from a single signal.
d. Both a and c
e. All of the above
Answer: d
Feedback: Secondary messengers both amplify the signal and have multiple effects
within a cell.
Textbook Reference: 7.3 How Is a Response to a Signal Transduced through the Cell?
Page: 137–139
6. Caffeine is a stimulant that works because it acts as a(n) _______ to the adenosine
receptors in a person’s brain, and stimulates _______ in that person’s heart and liver that
increases blood flow and blood glucose.
a. effector; a pathway
b. inhibitor; a cascade pathway
c. inhibitor; a ligand
d. signal; inhibitors
e. pathway; a ligand
Answer: b
Feedback: Caffeine and adenosine bind to the same receptor protein. The binding of
caffeine prevents adenosine from binding in the brain. In other organs, a series of
cascades begin in response to caffeine binding.
Page: 133
7. Cytoplasmic receptors bind

a. small signals that can diffuse through the plasma membrane.
b. secondary messengers, such as cAMP.
c. hydrophilic molecules.
d. ligands.
e. All of the above
Answer: a
Feedback: To bind to a cytoplasmic receptor, the ligand must be able to pass through the
plasma membrane.
Page: 135
8. Which of the following statements about protein kinase cascades is true?

a. Amplification can occur at each step in the path.
b. Information at the plasma membrane is communicated to the nucleus.
c. The multiple steps allow for specificity of the process.
d. Different targets can produce variation in the cellular response.
e. All of the above
Answer: e
Feedback: Amplification, regulation, specificity, and variation are all roles of protein
kinase cascades.
Page: 136–137
9. Which of the following is not part of the IP3 / DAG pathway?

a. The binding of a hormone to a receptor
b. The production of IP3 by a G protein
c. Activation of phospholipase C
d. The opening of Ca2+ channels
e. All of the above are part of the pathway.
Answer: b
Feedback: IP3 and DAG are made when phospholipase C hydrolyzes PIP2.
Page: 139
10. Which of the following statements about receptors is true?

a. Receptors are only found on the surface of cells.
b. Receptors are specific to the signal ligand.
c. Most receptors can bind with many signal ligands.
d. All receptors can act as ion channels.
e. All of the above
Answer: b
Feedback: Receptors interact only with specific ligands to bring about a response in the
cell.
Page: 132–134
11. Gap junctions and plasmodesmata differ in that

a. gap junctions are connected by protein tubules called connexons, whereas
plasmodesmata are connected by extensions of the plant’s plasma membrane.
b. gap junctions allow much larger molecules to pass through them.
c. gap junctions have no real physical connection but are rather the space between
adjacent cell membranes.
d. one is of animal origin and the other is of plant origin.
e. gap junctions are connected by desmotubules and plasmodesmata are connected by
connexons.
Answer: a
Feedback: Both plasmodesmata and gap junctions provide physical connections between
the cytoplasms of adjacent cells.
Page: 144–145
12. Paracrine signals

a. act on the cells that made them.
b. move through the blood and act on cells far from their source.
c. act on cells that are near to those that secrete them.
d. do not act through receptors.
e. require large concentrations of the signaling molecule to function.
Answer: c
Feedback: Autocrine signals affect the cells that make them and paracrine cells affect
nearby cells. A receptor in the plasma membrane binds hydrophilic signals.
Page: 130
13. Which of the following signals results in the direct activation of an enzyme?
a. Acetylcholine binding to its receptor
b. Insulin binding to its receptor
c. Cortisol binding to its receptor
d. Fertilization of an egg by a sperm cell
e. All of the above
Answer: b
Feedback: Insulin binds and activates a protein kinase receptor. Acetylcholine leads to a
channel opening, cortisol binds to a cytoplasmic receptor and activates transcription, and
fertilization leads to an increase in intracellular calcium concentrations.
Page: 133–135
14. Which of the following represents the correct order of signal transduction?
a. Binding of signal, release of secondary messenger, alteration of receptor conformation,
alteration of cellular function
b. Binding of signal, release of secondary messenger, alteration of receptor conformation,
transcription of gene
c. Binding of signal, activation of target protein by responder, alteration of receptor
conformation, release of secondary messenger; transcription of gene
d. Binding of signal, alteration of receptor conformation, alteration of cellular function,
release of second messenger
e. Binding of signal, alteration of receptor conformation, activation of target protein by
responder, alteration of cellular function
Answer: e
Feedback: Signals must bind their receptors, the conformation of the receptor is altered, a
responder activates a target protein, and cell function changes.
Page: 130–132
15. Which of the following is not a response to a signal binding its receptor?
a. A channel opening
b. A G protein’s exchange of GDP for GTP
c. Increase in intracellular concentration of nitrous oxide
d. The diffusion of solutes through the porous outer membrane of E. coli
e. Activation of a protein kinase
Answer: d
Feedback: The diffusion of solutes through the porous outer membrane of E. coli is a
signal; the other answer options are responses to signals.
Textbook Reference: 7.2 How Do Signal Receptors Initiate a Cellular Response? 7.3 How
Is a Response to a Signal Transduced through the Cell?
Page: 133–136, 140
Application
1. Based on your knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function,
explain how signal transduction might differ in prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Answer: Signal transduction in prokaryotes is limited to only one cell; there is no nuclear
membrane to cross, and cascades tend to be simpler, with fewer intermediate steps.
Page: 130–131
2. Describe how protein kinases and G protein-linked receptors may interact in a signal
transduction cascade.
Answer: G protein-linked receptors frequently expose the protein kinase activities of
effector molecules.
Page: 136–137
3. Discuss the role of secondary messengers in a signaling pathway. How are they
different from signals and receptors? What roles do secondary messenger and signals
have in common?
Answer: Secondary messengers function to amplify and spread signals. They do not bind
to receptors and do not act like signals in the cascade. Signals result in a change in cell
function; secondary messengers are part of the pathway that results in the change in cell
function.
Page: 137–138
4. Can a receptor act as a signal? Explain your answer.

Answer: A receptor can act as a signal for the next step in a given cascade. In a protein
kinase cascade, the receptor is a kinase that then sends a signal to the next step of the
cascade.
Page: 137
5. Trace how changes in osmotic pressure in the plasma membrane of E. coli result in
changes in gene transcription. What would be the outcome if OmpR could not bind to the
ompC promoter?
Answer: Refer to Figure 7.3 in the textbook. If OmpR could not bind to the ompC
promoter, then the ompC gene would not be transcribed and translated, and the E. coli
cell would be unable to prevent further solute entry into the inner membrane space.
Page: 130–132
TEXTBOOK SELF-QUIZ
1. What is the correct order for the following events in the interaction of a cell with a
signal? (1) Alteration of cell function; (2) signal binds to receptor; (3) signal released
from source; (4) signal transduction.
a. 1234
b. 2314
c. 3214
d. 3241
e. 3421
Answer: d
2. Why do some signals (“first messengers”) trigger “second messengers” to activate

target cells?
a. The first messenger requires activation by ATP.
b. The first messenger is not water soluble.
c. The first messenger binds to many types of cells.
d. The first messenger cannot cross the plasma membrane.
e. There are no receptors for the first messenger.
Answer: d
3. Steroid hormones such as estrogen act on target cells by

a. initiating second messenger activity.
b. binding to membrane proteins.
c. initiating gene expression.
d. activating enzymes.
e. binding to membrane lipids.
Answer: c
4. The major difference between a cell that responds to a signal and one that does not is
the presence of a
a. DNA sequence that binds to the signal.
b. nearby blood vessel.
c. receptor.
d. second messenger.
e. transduction pathway.
Answer: c
5. Which of the following is not a consequence of a signal binding to a receptor?

a. Activation of receptor enzyme activity
b. Diffusion of the receptor in the plasma membrane
c. Change in conformation of the receptor protein
d. Breakdown of the receptor to amino acids
e. Release of the signal from the receptor
Answer: d
6. A nonpolar molecule such as a steroid hormone usually binds to a

a. cytoplasmic receptor.
b. protein kinase.
c. ion channel.
d. phospholipid.
e. second messenger.
Answer: a
7. Which of the following is not a common type of receptor?

a. Ion channel
b. Protein kinase
c. G protein–linked receptor
d. Cytoplasmic receptor
e. Adenylyl cyclase
Answer: e
8. Which of the following is not true of a protein kinase cascade?

a. The signal is amplified.
b. A second messenger is formed.
c. Target proteins are phosphorylated.
d. The cascade ends up at the mitochondrion.
e. The cascade begins at the plasma membrane.
Answer: d
9. Which of the following is not a second messenger?

a. Calcium ion
b. Inositol trisphosphate
c. ATP
d. Cyclic AMP
e. Diacylglycerol
Answer: c
10. Plasmodesmata and gap junctions

a. allow small molecules and ions to pass rapidly between cells.
b. are both membrane-lined channels.
c. are channels about 1 mm in diameter.
d. are present only once per cell.
e. are involved in cell recognition.
Answer: a
BIOPORTAL DIAGNOSTIC QUIZ (Personalized Study Plan Quiz)

(By Richard McCarty)
1. Hormones are chemical signals that

a. affect adjacent cells.
b. work in prokaryotes.
c. are autocrine signals.
d. travel through circulatory systems.
e. are paracrine signals.
Answer: d
Page: 130
2. Chemical signal transduction pathways

a. use non-specific receptors.
b. involve binding of the signal molecule to receptors.
c. use receptors that are located only on the plasma membrane.
d. always result in increased transcription of a gene.
e. all use G proteins.
Answer: b
Page: 130
3. EnvZ of E. coli
a. is present in the outer membrane of the bacterium.
b. is a peripheral membrane protein.
c. senses when the bacterium is in a region of high external solute concentration.
d. directly affects solute entry into the cell.
e. binds directly to DNA.
Answer: c
Page: 131
4. The active responder in the EnvZ signal transduction system is _______ and it
_______ the protein _______.
a. OmpR; increases the synthesis of; OmpC
b. phosphorylated OmpR; increases the synthesis of; OmpC
c. OmpR; phosphorylates; OmpC
d. phosphorylated OmpR; phosphorylates; OmpC
e. OmpC: increases the synthesis of; OmpR
Answer: b
Page: 131–132
5. A universal feature of receptors is that they

a. are present in the plasma membrane.
b. are protein kinases.
c. undergo structural (shape) changes when the signal molecule is bound.
d. are ion channel proteins.
e. are effector proteins.
Answer: c
Page: 132–133
6. Receptors resemble enzymes in that

a. receptors and enzymes (most often) are polysaccharides.
b. receptors and enzymes may be either integral membrane proteins or soluble proteins.
c. receptor ligands, like enzyme substrates, are altered during signal transduction.
d. receptors and enzymes are not specific for the molecules they bind.
e. receptors generally have enzymatic activity.
Answer: b
Page: 132–136
7. Which of the following signal molecules would most likely have a cytoplasmic
receptor?
a. A highly charged small molecule
b. A polypeptide
c. A small nonpolar molecule
d. A phospholipid
e. A polynucleotide
Answer: c
Page: 133
8. Caffeine
a. is structurally related to GDP.
b. binds to a receptor in the brain.
c. causes signal transduction by itself.
d. is a signal.
e. a depressant.
Answer: b
Page: 133
9. The acetylcholine receptor is an example of a(n) _______ receptor, the insulin receptor
an example of a(n) _______ receptor, and the epinephrine receptor an example of a(n)
_______ receptor.
a. G protein-linked; protein kinase; ion channel
b. ion channel; protein kinase; G protein-linked
c. ion channel; G protein-linked; protein kinase
d. protein kinase: ion channel; G protein-linked
e. protein kinase; G protein-linked; ion channel
Answer: b
Page: 134–135
10. Ras
a. is a G protein.
b. is always active in normal cells.
c. is a protein kinase.
d. is a receptor.
e. is active in the nucleus.
Answer: a
Page: 136–137
11. An external stimulus causes a specific intracellular response. Which is the most likely
order in which signal transducers would work?
a. G protein; cAMP; protein kinase
b. protein kinase; cAMP; G protein
c. cAMP; protein kinase; G protein
d. protein kinase; G protein; cAMP
e. cAMP; G protein; protein kinase
Answer: a
Page: 138–139

a. Glycogen phosphorylase in liver cells is always active.
b. cAMP is referred to as a “first messenger.”
c. Epinephrine directly activates adenylyl cyclase.
d. cAMP is referred to as a “second messenger.”
e. Adenylyl cyclase is a protein kinase.
Answer: d
Page: 138–139
13. Adenylyl cyclase

a. is located such that cAMP is made outside of cells.
b. makes cAMP from ATP with the liberation of phosphate (Pi).
c. is inactivated by activated G- proteins.
d. makes cAMP from ATP with the liberation of pyrophosphate (PPi).
e. is directly activated by receptors.
Answer: d
Page: 138–139
Bloom’s Category: 2. Understanding.
14. The second messengers derived from a phospholipid membrane lipid

a. include inositol trisphospate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG).
b. activate protein kinases.
c. open Ca2+ channels.
d. are formed from phosphatidyl choline.
e. are formed from a phospholipid in the endoplasmic reticulum.
Answer: a
Page: 139
15. Nitric oxide (NO)

a. can be a second messenger.
b. is a participant in some signal transduction pathways.
c. directly relaxes smooth muscle.
d. directly activates a Ca2+ channel in the endoplasmic reticulum.
e. stimulates cAMP synthesis.
Answer: b
Page: 140–141
16. Which of the following is not involved in the signal transduction pathway for the
detection of odorants?
a. A G protein
b. Adenylyl cyclase
c. A specific odorant molecule receptor
d. A gated ion channel in the endoplasmic reticulum
e. A cAMP-gated ion channel
Answer: d
Page: 142–143
17. Which of the following cellular responses to signal transduction would include
activation of transcription?
a. rapid enzyme activation.
b. rapid enzyme inhibition.
c. opening of ion channels in the plasma membrane.
d. increased expression of certain genes.
e. changes in the calcium concentration in the cytosol.
Answer: d
Page: 142–144
18. The phosphorylation of proteins by ATP

a. is catalyzed by enzymes known as “protein kinases.”
b. always stimulates the activity of an enzyme.
c. is catalyzed by adenyl cyclase.
d. always takes place in the cytoplasm.
e. is catalyzed by G proteins.
Answer: a
Page: 143
19. Gap junctions

a. allow large molecules and ions to pass rapidly between cells.
b. permit metabolic cooperation among linked cells.
c. are formed by the peripheral membrane protein connexin.
d. are present in many copies per cell.
e. contain membrane lined bridges.
Answer: b
Page: 144–145
20. Plasmodesmata
a. are, like gap junctions, made of connexin.
b. present in animal cells.
c. can allow the passage of particles as large as viruses from cell to cell.
d. have a pore diameter of 6 nm.
e. are made from an endomembrane.
Answer: c
Page: 145

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Chapter 7: Cell Signaling and Communication

TEST FILE QUESTIONS

1. Which of the following statements about cell signaling in voles is false?

2. Which of the following statements is true?

4. Which of the following statements is false?

6. The first component of a signal transduction pathway is a(n)

8. Cells receive which of the following signals?

15. The conformational change in EnvZ causes it to become a(n)

16. Which of the following is true about EnvZ?

17. The second component of a signal transduction pathway is known as a

18. In general, all cell signaling causes

24. Which of the following is false?

25. A molecule that binds to the particular three-dimensional structure of another

26. In what way do ligand–receptor interactions differ from enzyme–substrate reactions?

27. Which of the following is true?

28. Caffeine mimics the molecular structure of

30. The receptor of estrogen

32. Which of the following molecules has an ion channel receptor?

33. Which of the following is true about acetylcholine?

34. Which of the following strongly binds to the acetylcholine receptor?

35. Which of the following molecules has a protein kinase receptor?

39. Which of the following statements is true?

43. Which of the following is true?

47. How does a protein kinase cascade amplify an intercellular signal?

50. Second messengers

51. Which of the following statements about cyclic AMP is false?

52. Which of the following statements is false?

53. The concentration of cAMP in a cell is increased by

54. The hydrolysis of PIP2 results in

56. Lithium can be effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder because it

57. Which of the following statements about calcium is true?

58. Which of the following statements is false?

60. Which of the following about nitric oxide is true?

61. Increased synthesis of phosphodiesterase would lead to

62. Which of the following statements is true?

65. The G protein-mediated cascade stimulated by epinephrine results in the

66. Which of the following statements about gap junctions is true?

67. Which of the following statements is true?

70. In gap junctions, the channel pores permit the transport of

71. Which of the following statements about plasmodesmata is false?

73. Which of the following is a similarity of animal and plant cells?

74. Which of the following statements about plasmodesmata is true?

75. Which structure narrows the opening of the plasmodesma?

Fill in the Blank

6. Phosphorylated OmpR is a(n) _______ factor; by binding to the promoter of OmpC, it

7. Phosphorylation changes the _______ and _______ of a protein.

9. Caffeine restores wakefulness because it binds to receptors for _______, thus

Textbook Reference: 7.2 How Do Signal Receptors Initiate a Cellular Response?

STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS

Knowledge and Synthesis

2. E. coli cells respond to osmotic changes by

3. What do G protein-linked receptors and protein kinases have in common?

4. Signal binding to a receptor differs from enzyme–substrate binding in that

5. Which of the following statements about secondary messengers is true?

7. Cytoplasmic receptors bind

8. Which of the following statements about protein kinase cascades is true?

9. Which of the following is not part of the IP3 / DAG pathway?

10. Which of the following statements about receptors is true?

11. Gap junctions and plasmodesmata differ in that

12. Paracrine signals

4. Can a receptor act as a signal? Explain your answer.

2. Why do some signals (“first messengers”) trigger “second messengers” to activate

3. Steroid hormones such as estrogen act on target cells by

7. Phosphorylation changes the _ and _ of a protein.