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Receptor Site Mechanics

Meaning

Receptor Site Mechanics is the detailed study of the biophysical and biochemical interactions that occur at the cellular receptor level, including the binding affinity of a ligand (like a hormone or peptide), the conformational changes induced upon binding, and the subsequent initiation of the intracellular signal transduction cascade. This understanding is critical in endocrinology because the effectiveness of a hormonal signal is determined not just by the circulating hormone concentration but by the density, sensitivity, and functional status of its specific receptor sites on target cells. Dysfunction in these mechanics is a common cause of hormonal resistance.