Question

One of the major categories of receptors in the plasma membrane reacts by forming dimers. Name this major category

Answer 1

Ligand-binding receptors in the plasma membrane react by forming dimers when a ligand binds to them. This dimerization allows the receptors' intracellular domains to come into close contact and activate each other.

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the major categories of receptors in the plasma membrane that reacts by forming dimers is the ligand-binding receptors. When a ligand binds to these receptors, conformational changes occur that affect the receptor's intracellular domain. These changes can propagate through the membrane region and lead to activation of the intracellular domain or its associated proteins. In some cases, binding of the ligand causes the receptors to bind to each other and form a stable complex called a dimer.

Answer 2

Receptor Tyrosine Kinase

Step-by-step explanation:

Tyrosine kinase receptor has a transmembrane spanning domain, an extracellular N terminal domain and an intracellular C terminal domain. It is a kinase receptor which means it phosphorylates the substrate molecule. When a ligand binds to the extracellular domain of the receptor, the receptor dimerizes.

Due to dimerization, the cytoplasmic kinase domains of the receptor are activated. Tyrosine residues of one receptor molecule are phosphorylated by the kinase activity of the partner receptor molecule hence it is called as trans phosphorylation. Due to phosphorylation, binding sites are created on receptor for various types of protein which leads to a signalling cascade.