Receptor
A protein molecule that receives and responds to specific signals, typically located on cell surfaces or inside cells. Receptors enable cells to sense and respond to their environment.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 14 chapters:
"...all biological work) to move things from areas of low concentration to high concentration. Your cells spend tremendous energy running these pumps. Receptor proteins detect signals from outside the cell - hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors - and trigger responses inside. **Recognition proteins..."
"...sh, and they'll divide until they form a single layer covering the surface. Then they stop. They sense contact with neighboring cells through surface receptors, trigger internal signals, and halt division. The technical term is contact inhibition - cells in contact with others inhibit their own growth. This..."
"...scade that tells the cell: "Store glucose as glycogen. Stop breaking down fat." One signal. Clear action. The cell ignores the molecular noise. The receptor itself is elegant, spanning the cell membrane with part outside (sensing the environment) and part inside (triggering the response)."
"...wth → Controlled expansion: Growth plates limit size. Contact inhibition prevents cancer. Meristems enable renewal. - Sensing → Feedback loops: Receptors detect signals. Transduction amplifies them. Negative feedback stabilizes. Positive feedback transitions. - Reproduction → Scaling**: Genotype repl..."
"...ial expertise specific to diabetes and metabolic diseases. Taproot went deeper - even more specialized. 2005-2015 (Years 82-92): Developed GLP-1 receptor agonists for Type 2 diabetes (Victoza, Ozempic). These drugs didn't just manage blood sugar - they caused weight loss as a side effect."
And 9 more chapters...
Biological Context
Receptors bind specific molecules (ligands) like a lock and key. This binding triggers cellular responses: gene activation, enzyme release, electrical signals. Receptor sensitivity can be adjusted—upregulated when signals are weak, downregulated when overwhelmed.
Business Application
Business receptors: the people, systems, and processes that detect specific signals. Customer feedback systems, competitive intelligence, trend spotting. Receptor specificity determines what signals an organization can detect and respond to.