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Glite Dictionary
alpha-adrenergic receptor

alpha-adrenergic receptor

7.4
A protein on nerve and blood vessel cells that reacts to body chemicals to make vessels narrow and muscles contract
  • noun
  • /ˈæl.fə ˌæd.rəˈnɜr.dʒɪk rɪˈsɛp.tər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : receptor alfa-adrenérgico
  • The drug selectively binds to the alpha-adrenergic receptor, causing blood vessels to constrict.

Examples

  • When stimulated, alpha-adrenergic receptors trigger the contraction of smooth muscles in various tissues.

  • Blocking the alpha-adrenergic receptor can help reduce high blood pressure in certain patients.

  • The alpha-adrenergic receptor plays a crucial role in the sympathetic nervous system.

  • Research shows that alpha-adrenergic receptors are involved in blood pressure regulation.

  • Blocking the alpha-adrenergic receptor can help reduce high blood pressure in certain patients.

  • The drug selectively binds to the alpha-adrenergic receptor, causing blood vessels to constrict.

  • When stimulated, alpha-adrenergic receptors trigger the contraction of smooth muscles in various tissues.

Synonyms

alpha receptor
vsalpha-adrenergic receptor
  • Specialized
7.8

A part on nerve cells that makes blood vessels and muscles in organs tighten

refers to the same membrane site with emphasis on response to certain agents
alpha-adrenoceptor
vsalpha-adrenergic receptor
  • Specialized
9.3

Receptor on certain cells that reacts to adrenaline and narrows blood vessels

focuses on vasoconstriction or smooth muscle contraction rather than intestinal relaxation

Surface Forms

alpha-adrenergic receptor singular
alpha-adrenergic receptors plural

Morphology

alpha-adrenergic + receptor

The noun 'receptor' is transparent (a body part responding to chemical or nerve signals) and the pattern 'X receptor' generally signals 'a receptor for X', so learners can infer it's a type of receptor. However the modifier 'alpha-adrenergic' is a technical, domain-specific term combining 'alpha' and 'adrenergic' whose precise physiological meaning (responses like vasoconstriction) is not predictable to an average B1 learner. Because part of the meaning is inferable from the construction but the critical modifier is specialized, the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Alpha-adrenergic receptor comes from two simple ideas: alpha is the Greek letter scientists used to name one group, and adrenergic points to the body chemical 'adrenaline' that these parts respond to. A receptor is a part of a cell that 'receives' chemical messages, so the whole name means the 'alpha' type receiver for adrenaline-like signals, which is why it describes the cell part that reacts when adrenaline acts.