Science glossary film: Receptor

In living organisms, receptors are proteins often found on the surface of a cell, which can bind to a specific signalling molecule or external stimulus, triggering a response. They play a key role in many functions in the human body: for example, sensory receptors receive external signals such as light and sound; and receptors on immune cells can trigger a response to a particular pathogen.

They play a key role in many functions in the human body: for example, sensory receptors receive external signals such as light and sound; and receptors on immune cells can trigger a response to a particular pathogen.