What Role Do Receptors Play in Signal Transmission?
Receptors are crucial for signal transmission as they specifically recognize and bind to signaling molecules. There are two main types of receptors:
- Cell surface receptors: These are embedded in the plasma membrane and include G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), and ion channel-linked receptors. - Intracellular receptors: Located inside the cell, these receptors typically bind to hydrophobic signaling molecules like steroid hormones that can diffuse across the plasma membrane.
