5-ht receptor
5-HT Receptor
The 5-HT receptor (pronounced as "five H T receptor"), also known as the serotonin receptor, is a type of receptor that interacts with the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT).
Etymology
The term "5-HT receptor" is derived from the chemical name for serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptamine. The "5-HT" stands for "5-hydroxytryptamine", and the "receptor" refers to the part of a cell that serotonin binds to, initiating a series of physiological responses.
Types of 5-HT Receptors
There are seven known types of 5-HT receptors: 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3, 5-HT4, 5-HT5, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7. Each type has different subtypes, and they are all G protein-coupled receptors, except for the 5-HT3 receptor, which is a ligand-gated ion channel.
Function
5-HT receptors are found in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. They play a crucial role in regulating various biological and neurological processes including sleep, depression, anxiety, appetite, and mood, among others.
Related Terms
- Serotonin: A neurotransmitter that 5-HT receptors interact with.
- Receptor: A protein molecule that receives chemical signals from outside a cell.
- Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.
- Central Nervous System: The part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
- Peripheral Nervous System: The part of the nervous system outside the central nervous system.
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