RECEPTOR: A DEVICE OR STRUCTURE THAT RECEIVES OR DETECTS SIGNALS, IMPULSES, OR INPUTS FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES. USED IN A VARIETY OF CONTEXTS, INCLUDING ELECTRONICS, BIOLOGY, AND SENSORY SYSTEMS. RESPONSIBLE FOR CONVERTING THE RECEIVED SIGNALS INTO USABLE INFORMATION OR RESPONSES. CAN BE DESIGNED TO SPECIFICALLY RESPOND TO CERTAIN STIMULI OR SIGNAL TYPES.