alpha-adrenoceptor

Friendly

Certainly! Let’s break down the term "alpha-adrenoceptor" in a way that is easy to understand.

Explanation

Alpha-adrenoceptor (noun) refers to special proteins found on the surface of certain nerve cells in the body. These receptors are part of the sympathetic nervous system, which helps control automatic body functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.

Usage Instructions

• You can use "alpha-adrenoceptor" in scientific or medical contexts, especially when discussing how the nervous system works or how certain medications affect the body.

Example

• "The new medication targets the alpha-adrenoceptors to help lower blood pressure."

Advanced Usage

In more advanced discussions, you might talk about how different medications can selectively target alpha-adrenoceptors to produce various effects, like reducing anxiety or treating high blood pressure.

Word Variants

• Adrenoceptors: This is a more general term that includes both alpha and beta types, referring to all receptors that respond to adrenaline (epinephrine) and related substances.
• Alpha-1 and Alpha-2 adrenoceptors: These are subtypes of alpha-adrenoceptors that have different functions in the body.

Different Meanings

While "alpha-adrenoceptor" has a specific meaning in biology and medicine, it does not have alternative meanings in everyday English.

Synonyms

• Alpha receptor: This is a simpler way to refer to the same concept, although it might not be as precise.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There are no idioms or phrasal verbs related specifically to "alpha-adrenoceptor" since it is a specialized scientific term.

Summary

To sum up, an alpha-adrenoceptor is a specific type of receptor in the sympathetic nervous system that helps regulate various body functions when certain chemicals attach to it.

Academic

Noun

1. 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)

Synonyms

• alpha receptor
• alpha-adrenergic receptor