What is the Role of Receptors in Biological Activity?
Receptors are proteins located on cell surfaces or within cells that bind to specific molecules, initiating a biological response. The interaction between a chemical substance and its target receptor is a key aspect of its biological activity. For instance, some toxins act as agonists or antagonists, either mimicking or blocking natural ligands, respectively. Understanding these interactions is essential for predicting the potential toxic effects of a substance.