Question

Ligand gated means controlled by the _______ or signal molecule. If the door is closed, certain ____ are blocked from entering the cell. When the ___________ or signal molecule is attached, the door is open for certain _____ to enter the cell. These types of receptors are important in the __________ _____________.

Answer 1

Answer:

ligand; molecule; ligand; molecule; nervous system

Explanation:

Ligand-gated ion channels are membrane proteins that interact with ligands (molecules) and open in response to this binding. In the nervous system, these channels are activated by neurotransmitters (ligands) that regulate synaptic transmission between nerve cells (neurons). Neurotransmitters are signaling molecules clustered close to the cell membrane of axon terminals in presynaptic neurons. For example, glutamate is a ligand neurotransmitter that binds to ion channels and thus stimulates synaptic activity in the mammalian brain.