receptor
UK[rɪˈsɛptə]US[rɪˈsɛptər]
n
A cell or group of cells that receives stimuli; a sense organ.
n
A protein molecule on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific substance, such as a hormone or neurotransmitter, triggering a response inside the cell.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
cept
or
re
again, back
cept
take
or
agent/thing
Etymology
The word receptor is built from Latin components that literally describe "a thing that takes back or receives". The core root cept derives from the Latin verb capere (to take, seize), which itself originates from the Proto-Indo-European root kap- meaning "to grasp". The prefix re- adds the sense of "back" or "again", shaping the action into one of receiving or accepting something sent or offered. The agent suffix -or then nominalizes this action, creating a term for the entity that performs the reception. This logical construction evolved from the physical act of seizing or catching to the specialized biological and biochemical meanings of a structure that selectively binds to and is activated by specific external signals.
Analysis
Structure: re (again, back) + cept (take) + or (agent/thing)
re: Latin prefix meaning "again, back, backward".
cept: A bound root from Latin capere, meaning "to take, seize".
or: Latin suffix forming agent nouns, indicating "a person or thing that does something".
Examples
The olfactory receptor cells in the nose detect different smells.
Insulin binds to its receptor on the cell surface to allow glucose uptake.
The drug works by blocking the receptor for the pain signal.