How much detail is required for the signal transduction pathway

[suskieanna]

Hello I am currently revising for exams and really confused about signal transduction pathway.
I only know that it is when the signalling molecule binds to the receptor, altering its shape, causing it to release other molecules that initiates a response. The study design specifically mentions that g protein thingys are not required. I feel like I need to add more to my explanation of the signal transduction pathway. Someone plz help!

[PhoenixxFire]

As far as I know that’s really all you need to know about it. So long as you know the three steps you should be fine. You should also be familiar with what signal amplification and signal cascade mean.

[suskieanna]

As far as I know that’s really all you need to know about it. So long as you know the three steps you should be fine. You should also be familiar with what signal amplification and signal cascade mean.

Can you please also explain the difference between the signal transduction pathway and the stimulus response model? They seem to be almost the same thing. Thanks

[peter.g15]

Can you please also explain the difference between the signal transduction pathway and the stimulus response model? They seem to be almost the same thing. Thanks

I believe the signal transduction pathway focuses on the pathway on the cell level, i.e. signalling molecule activates receptors on the membrane, which cause a cascade of reactions to occur and this leads to a particular response. Whereas, the stimulus response model focuses more on the "larger picture". For example, a rise in blood glucose level results in a response in the body to reduce the levels by releasing insulin.

I don't think that the difference is too too significant, and please correct me if my explanation is wrong haha. I'm not too sure myself

[praise_humble]

Hello I am currently revising for exams and really confused about signal transduction pathway.
I only know that it is when the signalling molecule binds to the receptor, altering its shape, causing it to release other molecules that initiates a response. The study design specifically mentions that g protein thingys are not required. I feel like I need to add more to my explanation of the signal transduction pathway. Someone plz help!

VCAA states that “details of specific chemicals, names of second messengers, G protein pathways, reaction mechanisms or cascade reactions are not required” this means that you do not need to go into any detail e.g defining each of the aforementioned things. Though remember the above mentioned things are to do with hydrophilic signalling molecules/ligands

As for signal transduction; you definitely need to know the three-step method; reception, transduction, response but the VCAA like to add everything together. What I mean by this is you may need to also know the mode of transmission of the signalling molecule, to how the signalling molecule gets into the cell

You need to know how hydrophobic and hydrophilic signalling molecules undergo signal transduction (how they essentially enter the cell)
(hydrophilic via a protein channel, hydrophobic diffuses through the phospholipid bilayer attaching to a receptor in the cell (intracellular))
You also need to (I think) explain that it enters the nucleus so that the cell undergoes changes via transcription

Please don’t stress if you don’t understand I will make another post going more into details on your post.


The “three step method” is the stimulus response model. Like someone else said, it is essentially the bigger picture; reception, transduction, response. I will upload some images and annotate them to give you a better idea later on

Mod edit: Merged posts. Please use the ‘modify’ button at the top of your post to add additional information rather than posting again —Phoenixxfire

[abhi.kala]

VCAA states that “details of specific chemicals, names of second messengers, G protein pathways, reaction mechanisms or cascade reactions are not required” this means that you do not need to go into any detail e.g defining each of the aforementioned things. Though remember the above mentioned things are to do with hydrophilic signalling molecules/ligands

As for signal transduction; you definitely need to know the three-step method; reception, transduction, response but the VCAA like to add everything together. What I mean by this is you may need to also know the mode of transmission of the signalling molecule, to how the signalling molecule gets into the cell

You need to know how hydrophobic and hydrophilic signalling molecules undergo signal transduction (how they essentially enter the cell)
(hydrophilic via a protein channel, hydrophobic diffuses through the phospholipid bilayer attaching to a receptor in the cell (intracellular))
You also need to (I think) explain that it enters the nucleus so that the cell undergoes changes via transcription

Please don’t stress if you don’t understand I will make another post going more into details on your post.


The “three step method” is the stimulus response model. Like someone else said, it is essentially the bigger picture; reception, transduction, response. I will upload some images and annotate them to give you a better idea later on

Mod edit: Merged posts. Please use the ‘modify’ button at the top of your post to add additional information rather than posting again —Phoenixxfire

Thanks! That helps a lot.