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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 the cellular response that is possible?
10. Cell Signaling
Signal Amplification
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Kinases and phosphatases are essential to the cell because they:
a) Are enzymes that synthesize proteins.
b) Are enzymes that degrade proteins.
c) Are enzymes that can turn proteins 'on' and/or 'off' through changes in phosphorylation.
d) Are enzymes that can turn proteins 'on' and/or 'off' through changes in proton concentrations.
e) None of the above.
A
Are enzymes that synthesize proteins.
B
Are enzymes that degrade proteins.
C
Are enzymes that can turn proteins 'on' and/or 'off' through changes in phosphorylation.
D
Are enzymes that can turn proteins 'on' and/or 'off' through changes in proton concentrations.
E
None of the above.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of kinases and phosphatases in cellular processes. Kinases are enzymes that add a phosphate group to a protein, a process known as phosphorylation, which can activate or deactivate the protein's function.
Recognize that phosphatases are enzymes that remove a phosphate group from a protein, a process known as dephosphorylation, which can also activate or deactivate the protein's function.
Identify that the primary function of kinases and phosphatases is to regulate protein activity by adding or removing phosphate groups, not by synthesizing or degrading proteins.
Consider the options provided in the problem. The correct answer should relate to the ability of these enzymes to modify protein activity through phosphorylation, not through changes in proton concentrations or other mechanisms.
Conclude that the correct answer is that kinases and phosphatases are enzymes that can turn proteins 'on' and/or 'off' through changes in phosphorylation, as this aligns with their known biological function.
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