Receptor Proteins
Definition
Receptor proteins are special structures within cells or situated on their exterior surfaces that bind specific substances, triggering changes in the behavior of the cells.
Analogy
Consider receptor proteins like a lock-and-key system. The receptor protein is the lock and only certain keys (specific substances) can unlock it, leading to changes inside the house (the cell).
Related terms
Ligands: These are substances that form complexes with biomolecules to serve biological purposes. In this context, they're like "keys" for receptor "locks."
Signal Transduction: This is the process by which a chemical or physical signal is transmitted through a cell as a series of molecular events, most commonly protein phosphorylation catalyzed by protein kinases.
G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): These are large family of signal-receiving molecules found in eukaryotes.
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