receptor
receptor
1. A cell or group of cells specialized to detect a particular stimulus and to initiate the transmission of impulses via the sensory nerves. The eyes, ears, nose, skin, and other sense organs all contain specific receptors responding to external stimuli (see exteroceptor); other receptors are sensitive to changes within the body (see interoceptor). See also baroreceptor; chemoreceptor; electroreceptor; magnetoreceptor; mechanoreceptor; osmoreceptor; proprioceptor.
2. An area of a plasma membrane, consisting of a specially adapted membrane protein, that can bind with a specific hormone, neurotransmitter, drug, or other chemical, thereby initiating a change within the cell. For example, the binding of protein hormones to receptors of target cells initiates the synthesis of a second messenger inside the cell.
1. A cell or group of cells specialized to detect a particular stimulus and to initiate the transmission of impulses via the sensory nerves. The eyes, ears, nose, skin, and other sense organs all contain specific receptors responding to external stimuli (see exteroceptor); other receptors are sensitive to changes within the body (see interoceptor). See also baroreceptor; chemoreceptor; electroreceptor; magnetoreceptor; mechanoreceptor; osmoreceptor; proprioceptor.
2. An area of a plasma membrane, consisting of a specially adapted membrane protein, that can bind with a specific hormone, neurotransmitter, drug, or other chemical, thereby initiating a change within the cell. For example, the binding of protein hormones to receptors of target cells initiates the synthesis of a second messenger inside the cell.
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receptor