Final answer:
Upon alteration by a stimulus, a receptor on a cell's membrane can trigger hyperpolarization, initiate G-protein interactions, and cause a change in membrane potential, potentially leading to an action potential. This can lead to a cascade of intracellular events altering cellular activity and gene transcription.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a stimulus alters a receptor on a cell's membrane, several events can occur depending on the nature of the stimulus and the type of receptor. For instance, some stimuli lead to hyperpolarization, involving specific ion channels in the cell membrane. A change in receptor shape upon binding its effector signal molecule can trigger a series of interactions involving G-proteins and the exchange of GTP for GDP, leading to signal transduction within the cell.
Receptors transduce stimuli into membrane potential changes in various ways. Whether the stimulus is a chemical, physical, or electromagnetic, like visible light, it results in alterations to the membrane's potential, often initiating an action potential if a threshold is reached. This can happen through ligand-gated or mechanically gated ion channels that alter the permeability of the cell membrane to specific ions such as Na+.
The ultimate outcome of the stimulus-receptor interaction is the generation of a cellular response, which may include the initiation of signal transduction pathways, changes in electrical state, and eventually alterations in cellular activity, potentially affecting the transcription of DNA and thus protein production.