A receptor is a protein which binds to a specific molecule. The molecule it binds is known as the ligand. A ligand may be any molecule, from inorganic minerals to organism-created proteins, hormones, and neurotransmitters. The ligand binds to the ligand-binding site on the receptor protein. When this binding happens, the receptor undergoes a conformational change. This change is shape slightly alters the protein’s function. From this, a number of things can happen. The conformational change in the receptor can cause the receptor to become an enzyme and actively combine or separate certain molecules.
