Chapter 11, Problem 9TYPSS

Summary Introduction

To review:

The affect of absence of a signal transduction cascade in the processing of steroid hormones: (a) signal amplification, (b) signal regulation, and (c) the cellular response that is possible.

Introduction:

A signaling molecule interacts with the receptor molecule to leave the signal and never enters a cell directly. It is not allowed to enter the cell to prevent a cellular response. The signaling molecules may be hormones, proteins, or other ions. Similarly, steroid hormones such as estrogen and cortisol are signaling molecules, which are hydrophobic in nature. Steroid hormones, like most lipid-soluble signaling molecules, are processed directly.