Question

Name the three main classes of cell-surface receptor.

1) Ion channel coupled receptors
2) G-protein receptors
3) Enzyme coupled receptors

Answer 1

The three main classes of cell-surface receptors are Ion channel-linked receptors, G-protein-linked receptors, and Enzyme-linked receptors, each facilitating specific types of cellular responses.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cell-surface receptors are integral proteins that play a crucial role in cellular signaling and are classified into three main categories:

1. Ion channel-linked receptors: These receptors bind to a specific ligand and open an ion channel, allowing ions such as Na+, K+, Ca2+, or Cl- to pass through the membrane and trigger a cellular response.
2. G-protein-linked receptors (also known as G-protein-coupled receptors): Upon ligand binding, these receptors activate a G-protein, which in turn can interact with other membrane proteins such as ion channels or enzymes, leading to various intracellular effects.
3. Enzyme-linked receptors: When a ligand binds to these receptors, they function directly as enzymes or are associated with enzymes inside the cell, initiating a cascade of intracellular signaling events.

Each of these receptor types has a specific structure that allows it to perform its unique function in cell communication.