alpha receptor

/ˌælfə riˌsɛptər/

Definitions of alpha receptor

1. noun

   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-adrenergic receptor, alpha-adrenoceptor

   type of:

   receptor

   any of the protein molecules in the surface of a cell or organelle that connect with the molecules of specific hormones, neurotransmitters, antigens, or antibodies to produce a physiological response