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Glite Dictionary
alpha receptor

alpha receptor

7.8
A part on nerve cells that makes blood vessels and muscles in organs tighten
  • noun
  • /ˈæl.fə rɪˈsɛp.tər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : receptor alfa
  • Research shows that activating the alpha receptor can enhance the body's response to stress.

They work by blocking your alpha receptors.

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Examples

  • So the alpha receptor is more expressed in reproductive tissues, breasts, ovaries, uterus.

    Rich Roll

  • The stimulation of the alpha receptor leads to the contraction of smooth muscles in the blood vessels.

  • The alpha receptor plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure by causing vasoconstriction.

Synonyms

alpha-adrenergic receptor
vsalpha receptor
  • Specialized
7.4

A protein on nerve and blood vessel cells that reacts to body chemicals to make vessels narrow and muscles contract

is the general term for that sympathetic nervous system receptor
alpha-adrenoceptor
vsalpha receptor
  • Specialized
9.3

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

focuses on vasoconstriction and smooth muscle contraction rather than intestinal effects

Surface Forms

alpha receptor singular
alpha receptors plural

Morphology

alpha + receptor

This is partially transparent: a learner who knows 'alpha' as a label or letter and 'receptor' as a biological sensor can infer that 'alpha receptor' denotes a particular subtype or class of receptor. However, the specific physiological functions (vasoconstriction, sympathetic involvement) are technical and not predictable from the constituents alone, so the expression is not fully transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Alpha receptor comes from the naming idea that alpha is the 'first' Greek letter used to mark one main type and receptor means 'a part that receives signals'. So the name refers to a receptor that receives certain signals and makes muscles in blood vessels tighten, which is why it is linked to narrowing blood vessels.