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Receptor Activation

Meaning

Receptor activation is the specific physiological process where a signaling molecule, such as a hormone, neurotransmitter, or drug, binds to its cognate receptor protein, inducing a conformational change in the receptor structure that initiates a cascade of intracellular events. This event is the fundamental trigger for all subsequent cellular responses, ultimately translating the external chemical instruction into a change in cellular function, gene expression, or metabolism. It is the first critical step in signal transduction.