Final answer:
When a ligand binds to a transmembrane receptor, it triggers a signaling pathway that activates a metabolic enzyme involved in anabolism. This activation occurs through a series of events, including conformational changes, protein activation, and second messenger synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a ligand binds to a transmembrane receptor, it triggers a series of events known as a signaling pathway. In this case, the ligand binding to the receptor activates a metabolic enzyme involved in anabolism within seconds. This activation occurs because the receptor undergoes a conformational change, leading to the activation of other proteins and the synthesis of a cytoplasmic second messenger, which then activates the enzyme.