Which type of receptor is primarily responsible for detecting neurotransmitters released by neurons in the nervous system?

• A. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)
• B. Tyrosine kinase receptors
• C. Steroid hormone receptors
• D. Voltage-gated ion channels

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of neurotransmitters in the nervous system. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released by neurons to communicate with other neurons, muscles, or glands. They bind to specific receptors on the target cell to elicit a response.
2. Step 2: Review the types of receptors listed in the problem. Each receptor type has a distinct function: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in signal transduction, tyrosine kinase receptors are typically involved in growth factor signaling, steroid hormone receptors bind lipid-soluble hormones, and voltage-gated ion channels regulate ion flow in response to changes in membrane potential.
3. Step 3: Focus on the receptor type that interacts with neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are water-soluble molecules that bind to receptors on the cell surface. GPCRs are the primary receptor type responsible for detecting neurotransmitters because they are located on the cell membrane and initiate intracellular signaling cascades upon binding.
4. Step 4: Eliminate receptor types that are not relevant to neurotransmitter detection. Tyrosine kinase receptors are involved in growth factor signaling, not neurotransmitter detection. Steroid hormone receptors are intracellular and bind lipid-soluble hormones, which are not neurotransmitters. Voltage-gated ion channels respond to changes in membrane potential rather than directly binding neurotransmitters.
5. Step 5: Conclude that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the correct answer because they are specifically designed to detect neurotransmitters released by neurons and initiate appropriate cellular responses.