Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


receptor

n.

1. the cell in a sensory system that is responsible for stimulus transduction. Receptor cells are specialized to detect and respond to specific stimuli in the external or internal environment. Examples include the retinal rods and retinal cones in the eye and the hair cells in the cochlea of the ear. Also called receptor cell.

2. a sense organ, such as the eye or the ear. See also neuroreceptor.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

laxative addiction

laxative addiction

a dependence on the use of laxatives to induce bowel movements. The addiction is a vicious cycle, in which the use of laxatives gradually reduces bowel activity so that further use becomes the only way to avoid constipation. Laxative addiction is often associated with eating disorders in which laxatives are routinely used for purging. See also enema addiction; klismaphilia.