Cellular communication is vital for maintaining tissue homeostasis and facilitating responses to environmental stimuli. One important mode of cellular communication is through signal transduction pathways. When a signaling molecule binds to a receptor on the cell surface, it triggers a cascade of events inside the cell, often involving second messengers and protein kinases. This process regulates various cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Consider the role of the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in this context. GPCRs are a large family of receptors that detect molecules outside the cell and activate internal signal transduction pathways through the activation of G proteins. This activation is essential for numerous physiological processes.
Given this information, which of the following statements correctly describes an aspect of GPCR function?