Alpha 1 and Alpha 2 receptors and Beta 1 and Beta 2 receptors...what do they do again

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I am all mixed up on my Alpha and Beta receptors. I feel like I've relearned these a million times. Does anyone have any tricks they care to share or know what they affect?

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yesdog, BSN, RN

177 Posts

Specializes in SICU.

Beta-1 vs Beta-2 receptor location

"You have 1 heart and 2 lungs"

Beta-1 are therefore primarily on heart

Beta-2 primarily on lungs

:):):)

david.cummiskey

1 Article; 76 Posts

yesdog said:
Beta-1 vs Beta-2 receptor location

"You have 1 heart and 2 lungs"

Beta-1 are therefore primarily on heart

Beta-2 primarily on lungs

Thanks yesdog, but what do they do though? increase or decrease heart rate? bronchodilate or bronchoconstrict? And how about Alphas?

yesdog, BSN, RN

177 Posts

Specializes in SICU.

Beta 1 receptors - heart muscle contraction

Beta 2 receptors - smooth muscle relaxation - bronchodilator

Alpha 1 receptors - smooth muscle contraction

Alpha 2 receptors - smooth muscle contraction and neurotransmitter inhibition

Here is a link to a good table (I know it's just Wikipedia, but the table is easy to read)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrenergic_receptor

Specializes in Case Mgmt, Anesthesia, ICU, ER, Dialysis.

David - add this to the private message/e-mail. I have tables & suggestions. :)

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