Ligand

Definition

A ligand is a molecule that binds specifically to another molecule, usually a larger one, through chemical interactions at the cellular level. In the context of cell membranes, ligands typically interact with receptors to initiate a cellular response.

Related terms

Receptor:

A protein molecule on the cell surface or within cells that binds to specific molecules like hormones or neurotransmitters, initiating a physiological response.

Signal Transduction: The process by which a chemical or physical signal is transmitted through a cell as a series of molecular events, most often involving the binding of ligands to receptors.

Cell Membrane:

The thin, flexible barrier that surrounds all cells; it controls what enters and leaves the cell and facilitates communication between cells through receptor-ligand interactions