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A-Level Biology OCR A

Cascade Hormone Explain Effect Activate Messenger System Usefulness

The second messenger system has a cascade effect because one hormone molecule can generate many cAMP molecules, which activate numerous protein kinases, amplifying the signal. This allows a single hormone to trigger multiple cellular responses, such as glycogen to glucose conversion.

El sistema de segundo mensajero tiene un efecto cascada porque una molécula de hormona puede generar múltiples moléculas de cAMP, lo que a su vez activa numerosas proteínas quinasas. Esta amplificación permite que una sola hormona desencadene múltiples respuestas celulares, como la conversión de glucógeno en glucosa.

Front Explain why the second messenger system is said to have a cascade effect and explain the usefulness of this effect.
Back Cascade effect:
  • 1 hormone molecule causes production of 2cAMP
  • Increased cAMP levels activate protein kinases which phosphorylate & activate more other enzymes (e.g. 8 enzymes) this eventually triggers conversion of glycogen to glucose
  • Since at each stage, number of molecules involved increases, the process is said to have cascade effect
  • This is useful because one hormone can trigger multiple responses in cell, reducing need for more hormone coordination

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