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Receptor Agonist

Meaning

A receptor agonist is a substance, whether endogenous (like a natural hormone) or exogenous (like a therapeutic medication), that binds to a specific cellular receptor and actively initiates a full biological response. By mimicking the action of the body’s natural ligand, the agonist stimulates the receptor to generate a signal, thereby producing a measurable physiological effect. In endocrinology and pharmacology, agonists are used to activate pathways that may be underactive due to hormone deficiency or receptor insensitivity.