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?

Recepetors Made Easy

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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

:):):)

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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?

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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

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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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