C10H12N2O

The most prominent functional groups of the neurotransmitter (hydroxyl and amino) do not have any significant effects on the functionality of the molecule (i.e. in any situation, the molecule will always be a neurotransmitter that will bind to a receptor site). 

 

However, the receptor the molecule binds to makes a significant difference in the results of the neurotransmitter’s function.Between the seven families of serotonin receptors, each has a different function. Usually these receptors are metabotropic receptors (Transmission), meaning they affect other channel molecules with the activation of specialized molecules known as G-proteins. Due to the activation of these intermediate molecules (G protein, 2011) by the metabotropic receptors, the receptors are often known as G protein-coupled receptors (Purves et. al, 2012).

 

These receptors are divided into subunits, each of which has different functions. For example, the Gs Alpha Receptor is known to be responsible for activating enzyme adenylyl cyclase which transforms ATP to cAMP, an intermediate messenger molecule which helps transfers chemical compounds across a cell membrane (Thomas, 2014). Similarly, the Gq Alpha Receptor also activates an enzyme. This time, it is the membrane-bound Phospholipase C (Thomas 2014), which breaks apart the phospholipids in the membrane’s bilayer, thus creating two new messengers which will go on to help other cellular responses (G protein, 2011).