Question

Which of these cause cellular response to be more complicated than a simple "on" "off" switch?

a.) varying degrees of response
b.) different cells have different organelles
c.) different cells have different proteins
d.) there may be different receptors present
e.) there are still more steps to the process
f.) there are various ways of stopping the pathway when needed

Answer 1

Cellular response complexity in multicellular organisms can be attributed to various factors, including variations in protein expression, signal integration that combines multiple signals, different receptors leading to different pathways, and mechanisms to properly terminate signaling. The presence of different receptors and signaling components in cells and the interaction between signaling pathways add layers of complexity to cellular responses.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cellular responses in multicellular organisms are more complicated than a simple "on" or "off" switch due to several factors. One such factor is the variation in response due to differences in protein expression in various cell types. Additionally, the process of signal integration allows for the merging of signals from different cell-surface receptors to activate the same response, ensuring that a cell only commits to a response once multiple external conditions are satisfied.

Another level of complexity is added by the existence of different receptors in cells, which may bind to the same ligand but initiate different signaling pathways, resulting in diverse responses. This is further complicated by cellular conditions that can affect the activity of various proteins, influencing different downstream events within the cell. Moreover, the presence of mechanisms that terminate signaling pathways, like the degradation of signaling molecules and the dephosphorylation of intermediates, is crucial for the proper regulation of cellular responses.