Question

For each of the following sentences, fill in the blank with the appropriate type of gating for the ion channel described. You can use the same type of gating mechanism more than once.

A. The acetylcholine receptor in skeletal muscle cells is a(n) _________________ ion channel.
B. _________________ ion channels are found in the hair cells of the mammalian cochlea.
C. _________________ ion channels in the mimosa plant propagate the leaf-closing response.
D. _________________ ion channels respond to changes in membrane potential.
E. Many receptors for neurotransmitters are _________________ ion channels.

Answer 1

The acetylcholine receptor in skeletal muscle cells is a ligand-gated ion channel. Ion channels in the hair cells of the cochlea and in the mimosa plant are mechanically-gated, whereas voltage-gated ion channels respond to membrane potential changes, and many neurotransmitter receptors are ligand-gated channels.

Step-by-step explanation:

For each of the following sentences, fill in the blank with the appropriate type of gating mechanism for the ion channel described:

1. The acetylcholine receptor in skeletal muscle cells is a ligand-gated ion channel.
2. Mechanically-gated ion channels are found in the hair cells of the mammalian cochlea.
3. Mechanically-gated ion channels in the mimosa plant propagate the leaf-closing response.
4. Voltage-gated ion channels respond to changes in membrane potential.
5. Many receptors for neurotransmitters are ligand-gated ion channels.

An example of a ligand-gated ion channel is when the neurotransmitter acetylcholine binds to the receptor, causing the channel to open and allow ions to pass through. Mechanically-gated ion channels are linked to mechanical deformation of the plasma membrane, such as the movement of stereocilia in the ear in response to sound, which then transduces the signal. Lastly, voltage-gated ion channels open or close in response to changes in the electrical membrane potential, as seen when a neuron fires and causes an action potential.