The article describes what receptors are, why they serve humans, and, in particular, the topic of receptor antagonists is considered.
Biology
Life on our planet has existed for almost 4 billion years. During this incomprehensible period for human perception, many biological species have replaced it , and this process will probably continue forever. But if we consider from a scientific point of view any biological organism, then its structure, coherence and the very fact of existence are amazing, and this applies even to the simplest species. And about the human body and say nothing! Any area of his biology is unique and interesting in its own way.
In this article, we will consider what receptors are, why they are needed, and what they are. In this we will try to understand as much as possible.
Act
According to the encyclopedia, a receptor is a union of the ends of nerve fibers in some neurons that are sensitive, and specific formations of intercellular substance and special cells of living tissues. Together, they are engaged in transforming the influence of various factors, which are often called stimuli, into a special nerve impulse. Now we know what a receptor is.
Some types of human receptors perceive information and exposure through special cells of epithelial origin. In addition, modified nerve cells also take part in the processing of information about stimuli, but their difference is that they themselves cannot generate nerve impulses, but only act on the innervating endings. For example, this is how taste buds work (they are located in the epithelium on the surface of the tongue). Their action is based on chemoreceptors, which are responsible for the perception and processing of exposure to chemical or volatile substances.
Now we know what taste buds are and how they work.
Appointment
Simply put, receptors are responsible for the work of almost all sensory organs. And in addition to the most obvious ones, such as vision or hearing, they enable a person to feel other phenomena: pressure, temperature, humidity and so on. So we sorted out the question of what are receptors. But consider them in more detail.
Very different effects and actions, such as deformation of a mechanical property (wounds and cuts), aggression of chemicals, and even an electric or magnetic field, can serve as stimuli that activate one or another receptor! True, which receptors are responsible for the perception of the latter, has not yet been precisely established. It is only known that such precisely exist, but they are developed differently by everyone.
Kinds
They are divided into types according to location in the body and stimulus, due to which we receive signals to the nerve endings. Let us consider in more detail the classification of receptors by an adequate stimulus:
- Chemoreceptors - responsible for taste and smell, their work is based on exposure to volatile and other chemicals.
- Osmoreceptors - participate in determining changes in the osmotic fluid, i.e., to increase or decrease the osmotic pressure (this is something like a balance between extracellular and intracellular fluids).
- Mechanoreceptors - receive signals based on physical impact.
- Photoreceptors - thanks to them, our eyes receive the visible spectrum of light.
- Thermoreceptors - responsible for the perception of temperature.
- Pain receptors.
What are receptor antagonists ?
Simply put, these are substances that can bind to receptors, but do not change the course of their work. And the agonist, on the contrary, not only binds, but also actively affects the receptor. For example, the latter include some narcotic substances used for anesthesia. They deprive the receptor of sensitivity. If they are called partial, then their effect is incomplete.