Final answer:
The type of plasma receptor that senses the number of particles operates via receptor-mediated endocytosis, binding specific substances and initiating cellular uptake through signal transduction and the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of plasma receptor that works by sensing the number of particles is involved in the process of receptor-mediated endocytosis. This process utilizes receptor proteins in the plasma membrane that have a specific binding affinity for certain substances, including ions and macromolecules. These receptors are integral to the plasma membrane and capable of signal transduction, where they convert extracellular signals into intercellular signals, leading to changes in membrane potential or activating intracellular response cascades.
When ligands, which may be hormones or other signaling molecules, bind to these receptors, the cell initiates endocytosis. In this context, a dye molecule enters cells upon ligand binding, suggesting that the receptor facilitates the internalization of the dye through a coordinated process involving clathrin-coated pits that evolve into clathrin-coated vesicles. This sophisticated function of receptor proteins is vital for cellular communication and response to environmental changes.