Ion channels are water-filled pores in the cell MEMBRANE through which ions (see ION) can move into or out of cells depending on the MEMBRANE POTENTIAL or the action of NEUROTRANSMITTERS. They occur in three states: resting, open and closed. Because...

Receptors that are directly coupled to the ION CHANNEL within a single macromolecular complex in the cell MEMBRANE are referred to as ionotropic receptors. lonotropic receptors, thus, directly gate their ion channels, allowing the flow of selected ions...

see ion...

Ion channels are pore-forming proteins that help to establish and control the small voltage gradient across the plasma membrane of all living cells (see cell potential) by allowing the flow of ions down their electrochemical gradient. They are present...