Cell signaling: practice question

A Biochemistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Biochemistry · Cell signaling

Sample item

What receptor class is used by cortisol?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Intracellular nuclear receptor

Cortisol is a lipid-soluble steroid hormone that enters cells and binds an intracellular receptor complex which regulates gene transcription.

Option by option

  • A. Receptor tyrosine kinase

    Receptor tyrosine kinases include insulin receptor signaling.

  • B. Intracellular nuclear receptor (correct)

    Correct: cortisol acts through an intracellular nuclear receptor.

  • C. G-protein-coupled receptor

    G-protein-coupled receptors mediate many peptide and catecholamine signals.

  • D. Ligand-gated ion channel

    Ligand-gated channels mediate rapid ion fluxes.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Biochemistry questions

Questions about this Biochemistry question

What is the answer to this Biochemistry question?

The best answer is B, Intracellular nuclear receptor. Cortisol is a lipid-soluble steroid hormone that enters cells and binds an intracellular receptor complex which regulates gene transcription.

Why is "Receptor tyrosine kinase" not the answer?

Receptor tyrosine kinases include insulin receptor signaling.

Why is "G-protein-coupled receptor" not the answer?

G-protein-coupled receptors mediate many peptide and catecholamine signals.

Why is "Ligand-gated ion channel" not the answer?

Ligand-gated channels mediate rapid ion fluxes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell signaling in Biochemistry. The correct option holds because: Correct: cortisol acts through an intracellular nuclear receptor.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cell signaling?

Build one table of enzyme deficiency, disease, inheritance and key finding, then revise it by spaced recall. Then use the flashcards and the other Biochemistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.