key term - Cell Surface Receptors

Definition

Cell surface receptors are proteins located on the cell membrane or within cells that bind to external signaling molecules such as hormones or neurotransmitters. They trigger changes inside the cell when activated.

Related terms

G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): These are large family of cell surface receptors that respond to various external signals and activate internal signal transduction pathways.

Ligand:

A molecule that binds specifically to another molecule, often larger one like a receptor protein, triggering its activity.

Endocytosis:

The process by which cells absorb molecules by engulfing them, often after they have interacted with cell surface receptors.