Receptor-mediated endocytosis differs from other types of endocytosis in that

In receptor-mediated endocytosis, a specific substance first binds to a matching receptor protein on the cell membrane. The membrane then folds inward to bring that substance into the cell. This binding step is what distinguishes the process; it does require energy, and the substance entering is not itself called the receptor.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.