Question

When a transmitter binds to a metatropic receptor that is coupled to a G protein, what happens to part of that G protein complex?

1) It dissociates from the receptor
2) It activates the receptor
3) It inhibits the receptor
4) It has no effect on the receptor

Answer 1

When a transmitter binds to a metabotropic receptor that is coupled to a G protein, part of the G protein complex dissociates from the receptor and a second messenger is generated. The second messenger can cause changes in the neuron.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a transmitter binds to a metabotropic receptor that is coupled to a G protein, part of the G protein complex dissociates from the receptor. After binding, the G protein hydrolyzes GTP and moves to the effector protein. When the G protein contacts the effector protein, a second messenger, such as CAMP, is generated. The second messenger can then go on to cause changes in the neuron, such as opening or closing ion channels, metabolic changes, and changes in gene transcription.