Molecular zip codes direct molecules to particular destinations in the cell. How are these signals read? a. They bind to receptor proteins. b. They enter transport vesicles. c. They bind to motor proteins. d. They are glycosylated by enzymes.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the question. The question is asking how molecular zip codes, which are specific sequences or structures on a molecule that direct it to a particular location in the cell, are read or recognized.
2. Step 2: Review each of the answer choices and consider what each process involves. Receptor proteins are proteins that receive chemical signals from outside a cell. Transport vesicles are involved in moving materials within a cell. Motor proteins are molecules that perform mechanical work in cells. Glycosylation is a process where a carbohydrate is attached to a protein or lipid.
3. Step 3: Consider which of these processes would be involved in reading or recognizing a molecular zip code. The molecular zip code needs to be recognized by something in the cell in order to direct the molecule to its correct location.
4. Step 4: The correct answer is a. They bind to receptor proteins. Receptor proteins are able to recognize and bind to specific molecules, including those with molecular zip codes, and can then direct these molecules to their correct locations within the cell.
5. Step 5: The other options (b, c, and d) are not correct because they describe processes that occur after the molecular zip code has been read, not the process of reading the zip code itself.

Key Concepts

Receptor Proteins

Receptor proteins are specialized proteins located on the cell membrane or within cells that bind to specific signaling molecules, such as hormones or neurotransmitters. This binding initiates a cellular response, allowing the cell to interpret and respond to external signals, including molecular zip codes that direct cellular transport.

Transport Vesicles

Transport vesicles are small, membrane-bound sacs that transport molecules within cells. They play a crucial role in moving proteins and other substances to their designated locations, often guided by molecular zip codes that ensure the correct delivery of cargo to specific cellular compartments.

Motor Proteins

Motor proteins are molecular machines that facilitate movement within cells, often along cytoskeletal filaments. They are essential for transporting vesicles and organelles to their destinations, utilizing energy from ATP to move along tracks, thereby playing a key role in the intracellular transport process.