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An ion channel will only open when a specific ligand, voltage change, or mechanical force triggers its activation. This selective response ensures that the channel only allows the passage of ions under certain physiological conditions, maintaining cellular homeostasis and signaling. For example, neurotransmitter binding can open ligand-gated channels, while changes in membrane potential can activate voltage-gated channels. This specificity is crucial for processes such as nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.

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A “ligand-gated” ion channel is one that will open in response to:?

A specific molecule binding to it


Plasma membrane exhibits chemically gated ion channels?

Chemically gated ion channels in the plasma membrane are sensitive to specific molecules that bind to them, causing the channel to open or close. This allows for the controlled movement of ions across the membrane in response to chemical signals, regulating processes such as muscle contraction and neurotransmission.


When the alpha subunit of the G protein is activated it can stimulate ion channels to?

open or close, depending on the specific type of ion channel involved. This can lead to changes in the membrane potential and affect cell function by regulating the flow of ions such as sodium, potassium, or calcium.


Are gated channels are always open?

Yes, it can a gated ion channel is opened when a signal molecule binds to a receptor protein causing the receptor protein to open the ion channel through the cell membrane and after this process the ion channel is closed once again to prevent various molecules to enter the cell.


How are chemically gated channels activated?

Chemically-gated ion channels are receptor membrane proteins that are permeable to specific ions. The 'gating' part of it refers to the channel being open only once activated; which in this case will be by a chemical. An example would be the AMPA glutamate receptor, which has a channel pore that is permeable to sodium ions. Only by binding to glutamate (a neurotransmitter) does the channel allow sodium ions to enter the cell.

Related Questions

A “ligand-gated” ion channel is one that will open in response to:?

A specific molecule binding to it


What is a large protein in the cell membrane that transports a specific ion?

Ion channel


Are the pores of ion channels always open?

Depends on the ion channel. Heart muscle cells have both leaky channels that are open all the time and other channels that only open at certain voltages across the cell membrane.


What does an agonist for a ligand-gated ion channel typically do?

Agonists tend to work in favor of something, therefore an agonist for a ligand-gated ion channel would open the channel whereas an antagonist would prevent it from opening.


Plasma membrane exhibits chemically gated ion channels?

Chemically gated ion channels in the plasma membrane are sensitive to specific molecules that bind to them, causing the channel to open or close. This allows for the controlled movement of ions across the membrane in response to chemical signals, regulating processes such as muscle contraction and neurotransmission.


When the alpha subunit of the G protein is activated it can stimulate ion channels to?

open or close, depending on the specific type of ion channel involved. This can lead to changes in the membrane potential and affect cell function by regulating the flow of ions such as sodium, potassium, or calcium.


What are mechanical gated channels?

Chemically-gated ion channels are receptor membrane proteins that are permeable to specific ions. The 'gating' part of it refers to the channel being open only once activated; which in this case will be by a chemical. An example would be the AMPA glutamate receptor, which has a channel pore that is permeable to sodium ions. Only by binding to glutamate (a neurotransmitter) does the channel allow sodium ions to enter the cell.


Are gated channels are always open?

Yes, it can a gated ion channel is opened when a signal molecule binds to a receptor protein causing the receptor protein to open the ion channel through the cell membrane and after this process the ion channel is closed once again to prevent various molecules to enter the cell.


How are chemically gated channels activated?

Chemically-gated ion channels are receptor membrane proteins that are permeable to specific ions. The 'gating' part of it refers to the channel being open only once activated; which in this case will be by a chemical. An example would be the AMPA glutamate receptor, which has a channel pore that is permeable to sodium ions. Only by binding to glutamate (a neurotransmitter) does the channel allow sodium ions to enter the cell.


Sodium and potassium ions both have a positive charge but potassium is larger and there is a protein channel that allows potassium ions through but blocks sodium ions and how is this possible?

These membranes have several types of selective ion channels. Some are nongates and always open, but for the potassium channel is gated, and only opens for the chemical potassium after specific conformational changes.


What is a gated channel?

A gated channel is a protein channel in a cell membrane that can open or close to allow specific ions, like sodium or potassium, to pass through. The opening and closing of these channels are controlled by certain signals, like changes in voltage or the binding of specific molecules, in order to regulate the flow of ions into and out of the cell.


How do voltage-gated ion channels differ from ligand-gated ion channels in terms of their mechanisms of activation and regulation?

Voltage-gated ion channels are activated by changes in membrane potential, while ligand-gated ion channels are activated by binding of specific molecules (ligands). Voltage-gated channels open in response to changes in electrical charge across the membrane, whereas ligand-gated channels open when a specific ligand binds to the channel. Additionally, voltage-gated channels are regulated by membrane potential, while ligand-gated channels are regulated by the presence or absence of specific ligands.