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Desensitisation of a receptor after prolonged stimulation serves to

  • A.destroy the signal molecule while it is in the bloodstream
  • B.increase the size of the response to further signalling
  • C.prevent the receptor from ever being reused afterwards
  • D.prevent the cell overreacting to a persistent signal

Answer: D

Receptors are phosphorylated, internalised or reduced in number, so the response fades even though the signal persists. This adaptation lets a cell respond to changes rather than to absolute levels. Tolerance to some drugs arises through exactly this mechanism.

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