Cell communication involves a cell detecting and responding to signals from other cells. Receptor molecules play an important ro
le in these reactions l. Human cells have insulin receptors that are needed for the movement of glucose out of the blood. State one way that the shape of the insulin receptor is related to its role in cell communication
-the specific binding of a region of the protein to solutes or a substrate
Transmembrane proteins are embedded within the membrane from the extracellular fluid to the cytoplasm, and are sometimes attached to glycoproteins (proteins attached to carbohydrates) which function as cell surface markers or function as receptors.
These include receptor proteins that bind specifically to molecules called lingands; some also use channels which respond to chemical signals by modifying solute-specific regions that aid in regulating ion exchange, through the hydrophobic layer of the plasma membrane.
