What is the term for the movement of specific molecules into a cell via vesicles containing receptors?

The process described involves the movement of specific molecules into a cell through vesicles that contain receptors designed to bind those molecules. This mechanism is known as receptor-mediated endocytosis. It is a selective form of endocytosis, where the cell internalizes only those substances that bind to specific receptors located on the cell membrane.

In this process, when a ligand (such as a hormone or nutrient) binds to its specific receptor, it triggers the invagination of the membrane, leading to the formation of a vesicle that encapsulates not only the receptor but also the bound ligand. This allows the cell to efficiently uptake essential molecules even when they are present at low concentrations in the extracellular environment.

The other terms refer to different processes that do not specifically involve receptor-mediated mechanisms. For instance, endocytosis is a broader term that encompasses all forms of material uptake into the cell via vesicles, which can include processes that do not rely on specific receptors. Exocytosis, on the other hand, pertains to the expulsion of materials from a cell via vesicles fusing with the membrane to release their contents outside the cell. Metabolism refers to all chemical reactions involved in maintaining the living state of cells and is not directly related to the movement of molecules