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receptor
[ ri-sep-ter ]
noun
- Physiology. an end organ or a group of end organs of sensory or afferent neurons, specialized to be sensitive to stimulating agents, as touch or heat.
- Cell Biology. any of various specific protein molecules in surface membranes of cells and organelles to which complementary molecules, as hormones, neurotransmitters, antigens, or antibodies, may become bound.
- the panlike base of a stall shower.
receptor
/ ɪˈɛə /
noun
- physiol a sensory nerve ending that changes specific stimuli into nerve impulses
- any of various devices that receive information, signals, etc
receptor
/ ĭ-ĕ′ə /
- A nerve ending or other structure in the body, such as a photoreceptor, specialized to sense or receive stimuli. Skin receptors respond to stimuli such as touch and pressure and signal the brain by activating portions of the nervous system. Receptors in the nose detect the presence of certain chemicals, leading to the perception of odor.
- A structure or site, found on the surface of a cell or within a cell, that can bind to a hormone, antigen, or other chemical substance and thereby begin a change in the cell. For example, when a mast cell within the body encounters an allergen, specialized receptors on the mast cell bind to the allergen, resulting in the release of histamine by the mast cell. The histamine then binds to histamine receptors in other cells of the body, which initiate the response known as inflammation as well as other responses. In this way, the symptoms of an allergic reaction are produced. Antihistamine drugs work by preventing the binding of histamine to histamine receptors.
yvlog History and Origins
Example Sentences
They attached themselves to certain receptors in the party, hijacked those and began replicating themselves.
The mechanism here isn’t well-understood, and Ruyle’s work points out the need for a clearer understanding of how opioid receptors throughout the body talk to the brain.
Opioids work by stimulating opioid receptors in the brain, blocking pain signals.
Takahashi also thinks the feeling of fullness caused by drinking carbonated beverages warrants further research, as carbon dioxide releases bubbles that stimulate the stomach's stretch receptors – creating a sensation of fullness.
The key is the ligand — that’s the general word for whatever chemical messenger or signaling molecule attaches to the receptor, activating it.
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