Regulator
Regulator (medicine)
Regulator (pronounced: /ˈrɛɡ.jə.leɪ.tər/) is a term used in various fields of medicine to denote a substance or process that controls or maintains the level of a particular physiological variable in the body.
Etymology
The term 'regulator' is derived from the Latin word 'regulare', which means 'to control' or 'to direct'.
Definition
In the context of medicine, a regulator can refer to a variety of substances or processes. For example, a hormone can act as a regulator by controlling the activity of certain cells or organs. Similarly, a gene can act as a regulator by controlling the expression of other genes.
Related Terms
- Homeostasis: The state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems. Regulators play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis.
- Feedback loop: A process in which the body's regulatory systems respond to changes in the environment by initiating actions that return the system to its normal range.
- Enzyme: A type of protein that acts as a catalyst in various biological functions. Many enzymes act as regulators by controlling the rate of chemical reactions.
- Receptor: A protein molecule that receives chemical signals from outside a cell. Receptors can act as regulators by controlling the response of a cell to a particular stimulus.
- Transcription factor: A protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA. Transcription factors are key regulators of gene expression.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Regulator
- Wikipedia's article - Regulator
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