What is the Origin of Receptor Sensitivity Adjustment?

This term derives from pharmacology, describing how the response magnitude changes independent of ligand concentration, focusing on post-binding cellular machinery. Adjustment implies a dynamic, adaptive process within the cell membrane or nucleus.

What is the Mechanism of Receptor Sensitivity Adjustment?

Cellular machinery adjusts sensitivity through processes like receptor internalization, degradation, or by altering the expression levels of downstream signaling intermediates. For instance, chronic high levels of a hormone can cause receptor downregulation to protect the cell from overstimulation. Conversely, periods of low exposure may lead to upregulation, making the cell more responsive to subsequent signaling events.

Receptor Sensitivity Adjustment ∞ Area

Receptor Sensitivity Adjustment

Meaning

Receptor Sensitivity Adjustment is the process of modulating the responsiveness of target cells to circulating hormone concentrations, either increasing sensitivity (upregulation) or decreasing it (downregulation). This is critical because the biological effect of a hormone is a function of both its concentration and the affinity/number of its available receptors. Optimizing sensitivity ensures that hormone signaling is appropriate for the physiological context.