Question

Through genetic engineering, you replace a specific second messenger in a cell’s signaling system with a new second messenger whose molecule has a greatly increased lifetime. How will this change most likely affect the ability of the cell to respond to signaling events that depend on this pathway?

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is - less efficient signaling.

Explanation:

Second messengers are the molecules that help in transferring the information in the form of intracellular signal that has come from external stimulus.

Second messenger molecules should be short-lived as the concentration of these molecules should be decreased fastly so the cell can be available for other stimuli mediated by the same second messenger.

With increased lifetime, signaling will be less efficient as another stimulus cannot be detected.

Thus, the correct answer is - less efficient signaling.