Question

Compare and contrast the actions of g couple proteins and ion gated channels.

Answer 1

Ans) A neurotransmitter can affect the activity of a postsynaptic cell via two different types of receptor proteins: ionitropic or ligand-gated ion channels, and metabotropic receptors. Thus, G-proteins can be thought of as transducers that couple neurotransmitter binding to the regulation of postsynaptic ion channels.

- Ion channel -linked receptors bind a ligand and open a channel through the membrane that allows specific ions to pass through. G-protein-linked receptors bind a ligand and activate a membrane protein called a G-protein, which then interacts with either an ion channel or an enzyme in the membrane.