| − | A '''ligand''' is a [[molecule]] that specifically binds to another molecule, often a larger one. Ligand binding usually causes a receptor [[protein]] to undergo a change of shape, which often activates the receptor. After activation, the receptor can then interact with other cellular molecules. <ref>Campbell, Neil A., and Jane B. Reece. Biology. San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings, 2002. Print.</ref> Ligands do not only bind to proteins, however, and can be larger than the molecules that they bind to. | + | A '''ligand''' is a [[molecule]] that specifically binds to another molecule, often a larger one. Ligand binding usually causes a receptor [[protein]] to undergo a change of shape, which often activates the receptor. After activation, the receptor can then interact with other cellular molecules.<ref>Campbell, Neil A., and Jane B. Reece. Biology. San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings, 2002. Print.</ref> Ligands do not only bind to proteins, however, and can be larger than the molecules that they bind to. |