[Campbell Biology P.272] What is the primary role of protein phosphatases in cellular signal... | Practice Question

What is the primary role of protein phosphatases in cellular signal transduction pathways, as described in the text?

  • A: Activating protein kinases by adding phosphate groups.
  • B: Converting ATP to cAMP to amplify signals.
  • C: Removing phosphate groups from proteins to turn off signal pathways.
  • D: Functioning as first messengers that bind to membrane receptors.

Explanation

The text states that protein phosphatases 'remove phosphate groups from proteins, a process called dephosphorylation' and that by 'dephosphorylating and thus inactivating protein kinases, phosphatases provide the mechanism for turning off the signal transduction pathway'.