Misc Healthcare Topics
Cell Communication
Compiled By Masterpiecesolutions
Edition: 2025/26
, Medical & Nursing | Misc Healthcare Topics I of VI pages
1. Which chemical messengers are amino acids?
The Gs: GlycineGlutamateGABA
(And also aspartate)
2. Which chemical messengers are biogenic amines?
DopamineNEEpiSerotoninHistamine
3. Which chemical messengers are choline esters?
Acetylcholine
4. Are T3 and T4 polar or nonpolar?
Polar. Hydrophilic.
5. Do hydrophilic chemical messengers cross the cell membrane?
Not on their own. They have to bind to cell surface receptors.
6. Which chemical messengers are nonpolar?
Lipophilic:SteroidsEicosanoidsVit D/Retinoids
7. List three Eicosanoids
ProstaglandinsLeukotrienesThromboxanes
8. Do steroids cross the cell membrane?
YesThey bind to receptors in the cytoplasm or nucleus of the target cells
9. Do Eicosanoids cross the cell membrane?
They usually bind to cell surface receptors
10. Dopamine, epi, and NE are derived from which amino acid?
Tyrosine
11. There are three components to all GPCRs:
A plasma membrane receptor with seven transmembrane segments
A G protein
An effector (usually an enzyme) that generates an intracellular second messenger
12. Describe a GPCR in the inactive state
The alpha subunit is bound to GDP
13. Describe a GPCR in the active state
The alpha subunit releases GDP and binds to GTP
14. Name two contagious diseases that alter GPCRs
Cholera (inhibits GTPase activity in Gs subunits)Pertussis (overactivation of Gs)
15. Which G protein subunit contains the intrinsic GTPase activity?
The alpha subunit
Misc Healthcare Topics 2025/26 Edition
Cell Communication
Compiled By Masterpiecesolutions
Edition: 2025/26
, Medical & Nursing | Misc Healthcare Topics I of VI pages
1. Which chemical messengers are amino acids?
The Gs: GlycineGlutamateGABA
(And also aspartate)
2. Which chemical messengers are biogenic amines?
DopamineNEEpiSerotoninHistamine
3. Which chemical messengers are choline esters?
Acetylcholine
4. Are T3 and T4 polar or nonpolar?
Polar. Hydrophilic.
5. Do hydrophilic chemical messengers cross the cell membrane?
Not on their own. They have to bind to cell surface receptors.
6. Which chemical messengers are nonpolar?
Lipophilic:SteroidsEicosanoidsVit D/Retinoids
7. List three Eicosanoids
ProstaglandinsLeukotrienesThromboxanes
8. Do steroids cross the cell membrane?
YesThey bind to receptors in the cytoplasm or nucleus of the target cells
9. Do Eicosanoids cross the cell membrane?
They usually bind to cell surface receptors
10. Dopamine, epi, and NE are derived from which amino acid?
Tyrosine
11. There are three components to all GPCRs:
A plasma membrane receptor with seven transmembrane segments
A G protein
An effector (usually an enzyme) that generates an intracellular second messenger
12. Describe a GPCR in the inactive state
The alpha subunit is bound to GDP
13. Describe a GPCR in the active state
The alpha subunit releases GDP and binds to GTP
14. Name two contagious diseases that alter GPCRs
Cholera (inhibits GTPase activity in Gs subunits)Pertussis (overactivation of Gs)
15. Which G protein subunit contains the intrinsic GTPase activity?
The alpha subunit
Misc Healthcare Topics 2025/26 Edition
