what is the difference between a transmembrane receptor and an intracellular receptor
For a signal molecule to bind with an intracellular receptor it must be able to pass through the cellular membrane. Generally signal molecules that enter the cell are nonpolar and fat soluble. These signal molecules can pass through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane.
As soon as the ligand binds to the receptor, the receptor changes conformation (the protein that makes up the channel changes shape), and as they do so they create a small opening that is big enough for ions to travel through. Therefore, ionotropic receptors are âligand-gated transmembrane ion channelsâ.