Receptory

A receptory, in a biological context, is a structure that receives and processes specific stimuli, initiating a biological response. It is often a specialized protein or complex of proteins located on the surface of a cell or within the cell's interior. These structures bind to specific signaling molecules, such as hormones or neurotransmitters, and transduce the signal to initiate a chain of biochemical events. This process, known as signal transduction, is essential for cellular communication, function, and coordination throughout an organism. Receptories are critical for various physiological processes like hormone action, neurotransmission, and immune response. Defective or malfunctioning receptories can lead to various diseases.

Receptory meaning with examples

• Hormone receptories on target cells are crucial for the body's response to endocrine signals. These receptories, after binding with a specific hormone, initiate intracellular cascades that influence gene expression. For example, the insulin receptory triggers glucose uptake. The sensitivity of these receptories impacts metabolic functions, and a lack of the insulin receptory may result in diabetes.
• Neurotransmitters, like dopamine and serotonin, bind to specific receptories in the brain to create or inhibit neural signaling. The receptories enable communication between neurons, forming the basis of behaviors. Antidepressants, for example, may influence neurotransmitter receptory binding, thereby affecting a person's mood and mental state. The malfunction of these receptories is related to neurological disorders.
• Cells of the immune system have receptories that recognise and bind to antigens, such as those found on bacteria or viruses. When an antigen interacts with the appropriate receptory, the cell is activated, triggering an immune response that includes inflammation and recruitment of immune cells. The specificity of these receptories allows the immune system to distinguish between self and non-self.
• In taste and smell, sensory receptories detect specific chemical compounds in food or air. These are on specialised cells in the taste buds and nasal passages. They convey the information of different tastes and smells to the brain. Specific odorant receptories in the nasal cavity enable us to perceive a wide range of aromas, while taste receptories on the tongue detect sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami tastes.
• Drug receptories are the targets for many medications. They are the biological molecules that drugs can bind to to initiate a specific action within the body. Some drugs are designed to activate receptories, mimicking natural signaling molecules, while others block them. For instance, beta-blockers inhibit the beta-adrenergic receptory, lowering heart rate.