receptors
Cellular signal receivers
Receptors are biological structures—typically proteins on cell surfaces—that receive and respond to specific signals.
A receptor for a hormone or neurotransmitter binds that particular molecule and triggers a cellular response: Pain receptors in the skin detect tissue damage.
Sensory receptors convert stimuli like light, sound, or pressure into nerve signals.
In pharmacology, drugs work by activating or blocking receptors: The medication targets dopamine receptors in the brain.
Molecule that binds centrally
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- agonistReceptor-binding trigger molecule
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- affinityNatural liking or attraction
kinase · neurotransmitter · hormone · cytokine · intracellular · protein · enzyme · endocrine
Sensory cell for pressure
- chemoreceptorSensory unit detecting chemicals
- photoreceptorCell responding to light
- thermoreceptorNeuron sensing temperature changes
- proprioceptorSensory receptor detecting position
baroreceptor · rod · cone · olfactory · touch · pain · temperature · pressure
Input-detecting device
- detectorDevice that senses
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- transducerEnergy form converter
- photodetectorLight-to-electricity conversion device
thermocouple · microphone · radar · sonar · infrared · biosensor · array · sensitivity
ligand
Molecule that binds centrally
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- agonistReceptor-binding trigger molecule
- antagonistOne who opposes another
affinity · kinase · neurotransmitter · hormone · cytokine · intracellular · protein · enzyme · endocrine · antibody
mechanoreceptor
Sensory cell for pressure
- chemoreceptorSensory unit detecting chemicals
- photoreceptorCell responding to light
- thermoreceptorNeuron sensing temperature changes
proprioceptor · baroreceptor · rod · cone · olfactory · touch · pain · temperature · pressure · vibration
sensor
Input-detecting device
- detectorDevice that senses
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- transducerEnergy form converter
photodetector · thermocouple · microphone · radar · sonar · infrared · biosensor · array · sensitivity · calibration
- brain sciencebrain scan, brain research, brain map, brain imaging, brain chemistry
- cannabis sciencecannabinoids, THC, CBD, endocannabinoids, terpenes
- cell membranescell membrane, plasma membrane, nuclear membrane, bilayer, phospholipid
- Cell Proteinsactin, histones, histone, myosin, keratins
- cell signalingligand, signaling, kinase, downstream, pathway
- touchtouch, feel, touching, caress, feeling
receptorstransmitters
Devices that send signals
effectors · emitters · senders · neurotransmitters · broadcasters
receptorsagonists
Actors in opposition
antagonists · substrates · hormones · neurotransmitters · messengers
- pain receptorsNeurons sensing tissue damage
- taste receptorsCells detecting flavors
- receptor sites
- toll-like receptorsInnate immune pattern sensors
- GABA receptorsInhibitory neurotransmitter binding proteins
- D2 receptorDopamine-sensitive neural protein