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

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  1. by Jul 18, '09
    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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    by david.cummiskey Jul 18, '09 7:08 pm
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  3. 4 Comments so far...

  4. Jul 18, '09 by
    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
  5. Jul 19, '09 by
    Quote from yesdog
    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?
  6. Jul 19, '09 by
    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
    nyanbensmommy1, david.cummiskey, and NurseKitten like this.
  7. Jul 19, '09 by
    David - add this to the private message/e-mail. I have tables & suggestions.