Receptor Definition
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English
Etymology
From Old French receptour or Latin receptor.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ɹɪˈsɛptə/
Noun
receptor (plural receptors)
- (biochemistry, medicine) A structure on a cell wall that binds with specific molecules so that they can be absorbed into the cell in order to control certain functions.
- 2001: In the target organ, the drug is recognised by ‘receptors’. These are large molecules, usually proteins, to which the drug binds tightly and with a high degree of specificity. — Leslie Iversen, Drugs: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford 2001, p. 24)
- (biology) Any specialized cell or structure that responds to sensory stimuli.
Derived terms
Related terms
Spanish
Adjective
receptor m. (feminine receptora, masculine plural receptores, feminine plural receptoras)
Noun
receptor m. (plural receptores)
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