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Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

Ligands

Evidence-informed definition Updated July 23, 2024 How to cite this entry

Ligands are small signaling molecules that are highly specific and only bind to their respective receptors to initiate particular responses. Ligands could be small proteins, hormones, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, or even structural components of bacteria such as LPS.

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Written by The Center for Nutritional Psychology
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The Center for Nutritional Psychology. (2024). Ligands. In Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology. The Center for Nutritional Psychology.

https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/encyclopedia/ligands/
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