By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Explain how the binding of a ligand initiates signal transduction throughout a cell
Recognize the role of phosphorylation in the transmission of intracellular signals
Evaluate the role of second messengers in signal transmission

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe how signaling pathways direct protein expression, cellular metabolism, and cell growth
Identify the function of PKC in signal transduction pathways
Recognize the role of apoptosis in the development and maintenance of a healthy organism

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe four types of signaling found in multicellular organisms
Compare internal receptors with cell-surface receptors
Recognize the relationship between a ligand’s structure and its mechanism of action

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe how single-celled yeasts use cell signaling to communicate with one another
Relate the role of quorum sensing to the ability of some bacteria to form biofilms

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe how cancer is caused by uncontrolled cell growth
Understand how proto-oncogenes are normal cell genes that, when mutated, become oncogenes
Describe how tumor suppressors function
Explain how mutant tumor suppressors cause cancer

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes
Distinguish between chromosomes, genes, and traits
Describe the mechanisms of chromosome compaction

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Understand how the cell cycle is controlled by mechanisms both internal and external to the cell
Explain how the three internal control checkpoints occur at the end of G1, at the G2/M transition, and during metaphase
Describe the molecules that control the cell cycle through positive and negative regulation

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe the process of binary fission in prokaryotes
Explain how FtsZ and tubulin proteins are examples of homology

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe the three stages of interphase
Discuss the behavior of chromosomes during karyokinesis
Explain how the cytoplasmic content is divided during cytokinesis
Define the quiescent G0 phase

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe the extracellular matrix
List examples of the ways that plant cells and animal cells communicate with adjacent cells
Summarize the roles of tight junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions, and plasmodesmata

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe the structure of eukaryotic cells
Compare animal cells with plant cells
State the role of the plasma membrane
Summarize the functions of the major cell organelles

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Name examples of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms
Compare and contrast prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells
Describe the relative sizes of different kinds of cells
Explain why cells must be small

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe the role of cells in organisms
Compare and contrast light microscopy and electron microscopy
Summarize cell theory

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe the cytoskeleton
Compare the roles of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules
Compare and contrast cilia and flagella
Summarize the differences among the components of prokaryotic cells, animal cells, and plant cells

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

List the components of the endomembrane system
Recognize the relationship between the endomembrane system and its functions

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Discuss the ways in which carbohydrate metabolic pathways, glycolysis, and the citric acid cycle interrelate with protein and lipid metabolic pathways
Explain why metabolic pathways are not considered closed systems

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Discuss the importance of electrons in the transfer of energy in living systems
Explain how ATP is used by the cell as an energy source