Question

imagine that you are trying to describe how receptors work to a non-biologist - say a relative. Using everyday analogies try to explain how you go from a ligand binding at the receptor to long-term changes in the cell. Try to avoid as much technical jargon as you can.

Answer 1

Let us assume that signal as a person, receptor is a lock, ligand (hormone) as a key, cytoplasm as home, nucleus as a kitchen and automatic cooking appliancer as trancription, genetic material as raw food material and food as protein. to get access to home, the person need to open the door by unlocking. then after opening the lock with a key, the door is opened person can get into the home. it is similar in the case of signal. to get access to nucleus, ligand binds with the receptor and get access to the nucleus.

After getting inside home he feels hungry and for preparing food, he reaches the kitchen, switching on automatic appliancer for cooking food. likewise this signal get entry into the nucleus and switching on the transcription process. With genetic material, the protein is produced for the biological function i.e, activity of the person.