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receptor - 5 dictionary results
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re⋅cep⋅tor

  [ri-sep-ter]
Use receptor in a Sentence
–noun
1. Physiology. an end organ or a group of end organs of sensory or afferent neurons, specialized to be sensitive to stimulating agents, as touch or heat.
2. Cell Biology. any of various specific protein molecules in surface membranes of cells and organelles to which complementary molecules, as hormones, neurotransmitters, antigens, or antibodies, may become bound.
3. the panlike base of a stall shower.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME receptour < OF < L receptor. See reception, -tor
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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re·cep·tor   (rĭ-sěp'tər)   
n.  
  1. Physiology A specialized cell or group of nerve endings that responds to sensory stimuli.
  2. Biochemistry A molecular structure or site on the surface or interior of a cell that binds with substances such as hormones, antigens, drugs, or neurotransmitters.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry: re·cep·tor
Pronunciation: ri-'sep-t&r
Function: noun
1 : a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : SENSE ORGAN
2 : a chemical group or molecule (as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interiorthat has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus
3 : a cellular entity (as a beta-receptor or alpha-receptor) that is a postulated intermediary between achemical agent (as a neurohormone) acting on nervous tissue and the physiological or pharmacological response
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Language Translation for : receptor
Spanish: portero,
German: der Portier,
Japanese: ポーター
More Translations »

receptor re·cep·tor (rĭ-sěp'tər)
n.

  1. A specialized cell or group of nerve endings that responds to sensory stimuli.
  2. A molecular structure or site on the surface or interior of a cell that binds with substances such as hormones, antigens, drugs, or neurotransmitters.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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receptor   (rĭ-sěp'tər)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. A nerve ending or other structure in the body, such as a photoreceptor, specialized to sense or receive stimuli. Skin receptors respond to stimuli such as touch and pressure and signal the brain by activating portions of the nervous system. Receptors in the nose detect the presence of certain chemicals, leading to the perception of odor.
  2. A structure or site, found on the surface of a cell or within a cell, that can bind to a hormone, antigen, or other chemical substance and thereby begin a change in the cell. For example, when a mast cell within the body encounters an allergen, specialized receptors on the mast cell bind to the allergen, resulting in the release of histamine by the mast cell. The histamine then binds to histamine receptors in other cells of the body, which initiate the response known as inflammation as well as other responses. In this way, the symptoms of an allergic reaction are produced. Antihistamine drugs work by preventing the binding of histamine to histamine receptors.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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