What is a receptor in cell biology?
Q: What is a receptor in cell biology?
A: A receptor is a special structure made of protein molecules found in cell membranes that bind to specialised molecules.
Q: How are receptors activated or deactivated?
A: If a receptor has the specialised molecule, it is activated, but if it does not, it is deactivated.
Q: What role do cell surface receptors (membrane receptors, transmembrane receptors) play?
A: Cell surface receptors take part in communication between the cell and the outside world.
Q: What kinds of molecules attach to receptors?
A: Extracellular signalling molecules such as hormones, neurotransmitters, cytokines, growth factors or cell recognition molecules attach to receptors.
Q: What triggers changes in the function of the cell?
A: When extracellular signalling molecules attach to receptors, it triggers changes in the function of the cell through a process called signal transduction.
Q: How do receptors work?
A: Receptors work like locks and keys. They bind to specialised molecules like a key in a lock. If the lock is unlocked, the door belonging to it can be opened.
Q: What kind of change happens inside the cell when a receptor is activated?
A: When a receptor is activated, it triggers a chemical change on the inside of the membrane.
