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Receptor Site Acclimatization

Meaning

Receptor Site Acclimatization describes the dynamic process by which cellular receptors adjust their sensitivity or number in response to chronic or fluctuating levels of their specific ligand, such as a hormone or neurotransmitter. This adaptation is a fundamental homeostatic mechanism that can manifest as either up-regulation, increasing sensitivity, or down-regulation, decreasing sensitivity, in an effort to maintain a stable intracellular signal. Clinically, managing this acclimatization is crucial for maintaining the long-term efficacy of hormone-based therapies and preventing therapeutic resistance.