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Receptor Binding Affinity

Meaning

Receptor binding affinity is the quantitative measure of the strength and duration of the molecular attraction between a signaling molecule, or ligand, and its specific receptor site. A high binding affinity indicates that the ligand can bind effectively even at low concentrations, while a low affinity requires a higher concentration to achieve the same degree of receptor occupancy. This pharmacological parameter is a primary determinant of a hormone’s potency and its ability to elicit a biological response at the target cell.