Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store
SearchIcon
banner

What are Receptors?

Answer
VerifiedVerified
423k+ views
1 likes
like imagedislike image
Hint: Receptors can be found in various areas of the body, including the skin, eyes, nose, and tongue. They detect the impulses and subsequently transmit them to the brain as electrical signals. If receptors are destroyed, they will be unable to detect the input, causing harm to our bodies in a potentially dangerous situation.

Complete answer:
Receptors are specialised structures that can be found in the cell membrane and are used for receiving signals or stimuli. They are mostly made up of proteins that bind to ligands and trigger immune system responses. These receptors can be present in B cells, T cells, stem cells, and monocytes, among other immune cells. Other than immune cells, receptors can be found throughout the human body. Receptors include the sense organs such as the eyes, ear, nose, tongue, and skin.
Receptors and their functions:
Receptors, which are protein molecules found in or on the surface of the target cell, are engaged in a variety of tasks, including:
1. It controls cell binding.
2. It aids signal transmission.
3. It is in charge of the membrane channels.
4. Immune responses and immunotherapy are also affected by it.
5. It stimulates cell metabolism, such as cell growth, division, and death.

Note:
Depending on the level of exposure to a particular stimulus, receptors can become faulty momentarily or permanently. A laser beam entering the eyes directly, for example, can burn the retinal cells. It can cause a person to go blind either momentarily or permanently, depending on how long the exposure lasts. Burns are a similar case. A little burn can temporarily desensitise the skin, while a severe burn can result in a permanent loss of sensation in the charred area. The resulting problem involves a loss of stimulation from that specific receptor, which is not helpful for body coordination.