Final answer:
Ligand-gated channels are a type of gated channel protein in biology where the conformational state depends on the binding of a specific molecule, called a ligand. The ligand is usually not the solute that passes through the channel. Examples include ionotropic receptors in nerve cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ligand-gated channels are a type of gated channel protein in biology. These channels have different conformational states that depend on the binding of a specific molecule, known as a ligand, to the channel protein. The binding of the ligand causes the channel to open or close, allowing the movement of ions through the membrane.
One example of a ligand-gated channel is the ionotropic receptor found in nerve cells. When a neurotransmitter, which is the ligand, binds to the receptor, ions can cross the cell membrane, changing its charge.
It is important to note that the ligand that binds to the channel is usually not the same molecule that passes through the channel. This specific molecule that passes through the channel is called the solute.