receptors and their purpose

Question 1

describe what a receptor is

Answer 1

receptor = sensing elements of chemical communication within the body

Question 2

describe the role of receptors in relation to therapeutic agents

Answer 2

many therapeutic agents act as agonists, antagonists or allosteric modulators of selected receptor types and can mimic, block, enhance or reduce the response of endogenous substances

Question 3

describe the role of receptors in relation to ligand selectivity

Answer 3

due to ligand selectivity receptors can respond to one, or more signalling molecules in the extracellular or intracellular environment

Question 4

what different types of molecules can target receptors

Answer 4

hormones, neurotransmitters and many more different kinds of signalling molecules(eg cytokines)

Question 5

what are the 4 major types of receptor

Answer 5

ligand-gated ion channels(LGIC), G protein-coupled receptors(GPCR), Kinase linked receptors(aka enzyme linked), Nuclear receptors