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Membrane-Bound Receptors

Meaning

Membrane-bound receptors are specialized protein structures embedded entirely within the outer lipid bilayer of a cell that serve as highly specific binding sites for external signaling molecules, primarily peptide hormones and neurotransmitters. These receptors are crucial for initiating a cascade of intracellular events upon ligand binding, effectively transducing an external chemical signal into a functional change within the cell. They are essential for rapid, systemic cell-to-cell communication and for triggering swift physiological responses throughout the body. Their location distinguishes them from intracellular receptors.