What Are Ion Channel Receptors? - Ion channel receptors are multimeric proteins, which usually locate in the plasma membrane. Each of those receptor proteins arranges itself in order to form a passageway or pore, so that to extend from one side of the membrane to the other, and therefore lead to fundamental physiological processes such as muscle contraction. These passageways, or ion channel receptors, have the flexible ability to open and close in response to chemical or mechanical signals. Ion channels receptors, unlike ion transporters, are passive. It means that they do not require a source of energy in order to function. Flow of ions to occur depend on the electro-chemical gradient. Most ion channels are gated to selectively block the ions flow. Both the amino acids that line a channel and the physical width of the channel determine which ions are able to go through from the cell exterior to its interior, and vice versa.
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