MicrobiologyLesson 2 of 2 in the course Cell Communication

Yeast Mating Signals and Bacterial Quorum Sensing

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

Save course
Lesson progress
0 / 5

Your progress is kept in this browser only.Sign up to save it

Summary

Single-celled yeasts can communicate with nearby cells, especially when seeking a mating partner. Their signaling uses cell-surface receptors and intracellular proteins that resemble those found in multicellular organisms.

Yeasts are single-celled eukaryotes, meaning their cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. In budding yeast, two haploid cells—each with one set of chromosomes—can combine to form a diploid cell with two sets of chromosomes.

All flashcards

Mating factor
A signaling molecule that yeast cells release to communicate with potential mating partners.
Signaling cascade
A series of linked molecular events that relays a signal and produces a cellular response.
Autoinducer
A chemical signal released by bacteria that can accumulate and coordinate population behavior.
Acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)
A small hydrophobic bacterial signal that can enter cells and bind transcription factors.
Positive feedback in quorum sensing
A process in which signaling activates genes that produce more signaling molecule.

Quiz questions

  1. In quorum sensing, what information does the accumulated concentration of autoinducers help bacteria detect?Answer: The population's cell density.
  2. How can acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) change gene expression in a target bacterium?Answer: It enters the cell and binds to transcription factors.
  3. What kind of signaling pathway can peptide-based bacterial autoinducers trigger?Answer: A more complex pathway that can include bacterial kinases.
  4. What happens in positive feedback during some quorum-sensing responses?Answer: The response activates genes that produce additional autoinducer.
  5. Why can bacterial biofilms on medical implants be clinically important?Answer: They can contribute to serious infections.

Based on Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark, Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

More in Microbiology

All Microbiology lessons
MicrobiologyBacterial Culture Media: Composition, Selection, and Differential Tests5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →MicrobiologyMicrobial Temperature Growth, Adaptations, and Food Safety5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →MicrobiologyClinical Features, Transmission, and Time Courses of Infectious Disease5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →MicrobiologyMicrobial Growth, Enumeration, Reproduction, and Biofilms5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →MicrobiologyDeeply Branching Bacteria: Phylogenetic Position and Extreme Adaptations5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →MicrobiologyFrom Ancient Fermentation to the Foundations of Microbiology5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 4 gamesPlay free →