4.3 Changes in Signal Transduction Pathways
in AP Biology
Food and drugs can be sources of chemicals that act as exogenous ligands in cell communication. Exogenous ligands can disrupt the usual activity of a signal transduction pathway, thereby altering the responses of target cells.
To Think About:
How can mutations in the receptor protein or any component of the signaling pathway affect the transduction of a signal? How can chemicals activate a pathway? How can chemicals inhibit a pathway?
Watch: AP Daily Video Changes in Signal Transduction Pathways
Answer the Following Questions:
- If a mutation occurs in the gene for a receptor protein that causes a change in its structure, it would also change its _______________, a possible results is that the ________________ would no longer bind to the receptor and the signaling pathway would be _________________
- A disruption in a signaling pathway would effect subsequent steps, also called _____________________ reactions.
- When fibroblast growth factor binds to a receptor, it will ___________________ a signaling pathway.
- Inhibitors that block the release of neurotransmitters will block any _____________ with the ______________ cell. NOTE: The correct answer to the practice question at the end of this video is NOT C, the correct answer is B
- Explain why the loss of function of the intracellular domain of the insulin receptor protein would be increased storage of GLUT4 in vesicles inside the cell.
Supplementary Resources:
- Bozeman Science: Mr. Andersen’s “Effects of Changes in Pathways” video
- University of Utah: Learn.Genetics - When Cell Communication Goes Wrong
