The function of receptors is to detect specific signals in the form of ligands and translate these signals into cellular responses. This process can be broken down into several steps:
1. Ligand Binding: The ligand binds to its specific receptor with high affinity. 2. Receptor Activation: The binding of the ligand induces a conformational change in the receptor, activating it. 3. Signal Transduction: The activated receptor interacts with other intracellular molecules to propagate the signal. 4. Cellular Response: The signal transduction pathway culminates in a specific cellular response, such as gene expression, ion channel opening, or enzyme activation.
