Question

1. Describe (briefly) two advantages of receptor-activated signal transduction systems.

Answer 1

Solution:

Signal transduction is the process by which an extracellular signaling molecule activates a membrane receptor which alters intracellular molecules.

The major advantages due to receptor-activated signal transductions are:

Signal transduction allows cells to respond in an efficient way for different stimuli.

An activated receptor produces many secondary messengers. Thus, low concentrations of primary messengers can give rise to a large signal due to amplification by secondary messengers.