Scenario: GPCR Signaling Research
A researcher studying GPCR (G-Protein Coupled Receptor) signaling in cardiac cells observes that
adding a specific drug increases cAMP levels but blocks the downstream effect on heart rate.
This unexpected result requires analysis of multiple possible explanations.
Which explanations are PLAUSIBLE for this observation? Select ALL that apply and indicate your confidence level.
Instructions: Check the box to select an option, then choose your confidence level.
Higher confidence = higher points if correct, but higher penalty if wrong.
A. The drug is a GPCR agonist but blocks adenylyl cyclase
😊 Very Confident
🙂 Confident
😐 Somewhat
🤔 Guessing
B. The drug inhibits phosphodiesterase (prevents cAMP breakdown)
😊 Very Confident
🙂 Confident
😐 Somewhat
🤔 Guessing
C. The drug blocks PKA (Protein Kinase A) activity downstream of cAMP
😊 Very Confident
🙂 Confident
😐 Somewhat
🤔 Guessing
D. The drug is a beta-blocker preventing cAMP production
😊 Very Confident
🙂 Confident
😐 Somewhat
🤔 Guessing
Scoring: Confidence-Weighted
Correct Answers: B, C
Scoring: Correct + Very Confident = 1.0× | Correct + Confident = 0.8× | Correct + Somewhat = 0.5×
Penalties: Wrong + Very Confident = -2.0 | Wrong + Confident = -1.0 | Wrong + Somewhat = -0.5