Alpha Receptor (Noun)
Meaning
Receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles).
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The alpha receptor plays a crucial role in mediating vasoconstriction responses in the body's sympathetic nervous system.
- Beta and alpha receptors are postulated to explain the varying responses of smooth muscle to different stimuli in the sympathetic nervous system.
- Researchers discovered that certain agonists are more specific to alpha receptors on nerve cell membranes, leading to distinct physiological effects.
- Phentolamine is commonly used as an alpha receptor antagonist to study its role in regulating vasoconstriction in various patients.
- Alpha receptors on smooth muscle cells are responsible for initiating muscle contractions in response to specific stimuli.