MORPHINE RECEPTOR Meaning and
Definition
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A morphine receptor refers to a specific protein structure located in the cell membrane of neurons that binds to morphine, a powerful analgesic drug derived from the opium poppy. The morphine receptor, also known as the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), is a member of the opioid receptor family and plays a crucial role in mediating the effects of morphine and other opioids in the body.
When morphine enters the body, it passes through the blood-brain barrier and binds to the morphine receptors in the brain and spinal cord. The binding of morphine to these receptors activates a cascade of biochemical events that ultimately dampen the transmission of pain signals and produce analgesia. This receptor activation can also lead to other effects such as sedation, euphoria, respiratory depression, and constipation.
The morphine receptor is widely distributed in the central nervous system, particularly in areas associated with pain perception and modulation, such as the thalamus, periaqueductal gray, and dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Its presence in these regions allows for the effective modulation of pain signals by morphine and other opioids.
Understanding the morphine receptor has been instrumental in developing medications that target this receptor to alleviate pain. Furthermore, research on the morphine receptor has contributed to the understanding of opioid addiction and the development of novel therapeutic approaches to prevent opioid abuse and overdose.
Common Misspellings for MORPHINE RECEPTOR
- norphine receptor
- korphine receptor
- jorphine receptor
- mirphine receptor
- mkrphine receptor
- mlrphine receptor
- mprphine receptor
- m0rphine receptor
- m9rphine receptor
- moephine receptor
- modphine receptor
- mofphine receptor
- motphine receptor
- mo5phine receptor
- mo4phine receptor
- morohine receptor
- morlhine receptor
- mor-hine receptor
- mor0hine receptor
- morpgine receptor
Etymology of MORPHINE RECEPTOR
The word "morphine receptor" does not have a specific etymology because it is a compound term composed of two separate words - "morphine" and "receptor".
"Morphine" is derived from the Latin word "Morphium", which comes from the Greek word "Morpheus", the name of the god of dreams in Greek mythology. Morphine was first isolated from opium in the early 19th century and named after Morpheus due to its sedative and pain-relieving effects.
"Receptor" comes from the Latin word "receptus", which means "received". In biology and medicine, a receptor refers to a molecule or structure on a cell that receives and responds to specific substances or stimuli.
Therefore, "morphine receptor" refers to a cell surface or intracellular structure that binds specifically to morphine and mediates its effects in the body.
