alpha blocker alpha-blocker alpha-adrenergic blocker alpha-adrenergic blocking agent | any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors, used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder |
alpha-interferon | a form of interferon that is produced endogenously and commercially for its pharmacological effects (including regulation of the immune system and antiviral and antineoplastic effects) |
methyldopa alpha methyl dopa Aldomet | antihypertensive drug (trade name Aldomet) used in the treatment of high blood pressure |
sense organ sensory receptor receptor | an organ having nerve endings (in the skin or viscera or eye or ear or nose or mouth) that respond to stimulation |
stretch receptor | a receptor in a muscle that responds to stretching of the muscle tissue |
receptor | a cellular structure that is postulated to exist in order to mediate between a chemical agent that acts on nervous tissue and the physiological response |
alpha receptor alpha-adrenergic receptor alpha-adrenoceptor | 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) |
beta receptor beta-adrenergic receptor beta-adrenoceptor | 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 vasodilation and increased heart beat) |
alpha test | (computer science) a first test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by the developer |
alpha privative | the negative prefix a- or un- |
alpha software | a first release of a software product that is usually tested only by the developers |
alpha and omega | the basic meaning of something, the crucial part |
alpha | the st letter of the Greek alphabet |
alpha | the beginning of a series or sequence, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end--Revelations |
Alpha Centauri Rigil Kent Rigil | brightest star in Centaurus, second nearest star to the sun |
Alpha Crucis | the brightest star in the Southern Cross |
alpha particle | a positively charged particle that is the nucleus of the helium atom, emitted from natural or radioactive isotopes |
Betelgeuse Alpha Orionis | the second brightest star in Orion |
Castor Alpha Geminorum | a multiple star with components, second brightest in Gemini, close to Pollux |
alpha radiation alpha ray | the radiation of alpha particles during radioactive decay |
alpha rhythm alpha wave | the normal brainwave in the electroencephalogram of a person who is awake but relaxed, occurs with a frequency of - hertz |
alpha decay | radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of an alpha particle |
alpha-linolenic acid | a polyunsaturated fatty acid with carbon atoms, the only omega- fatty acid found in vegetable products, it is most abundant in canola oil, a fatty acid essential for nutrition |
alpha-naphthol | an isomer of naphthol used in dyes |
alpha-naphthol test Molisch's test Molisch test Molisch reaction | biochemical indicator of the presence of carbohydrates in a solution, if carbohydrates are present a violet ring is formed by reaction with alpha-naphthol in the presence of sulfuric acid |
alpha-beta brass Muntz metal yellow metal | a brass that has more zinc and is stronger than alpha brass, used in making castings and hot-worked products |
alpha brass | an alloy of brass and zinc, used mainly for cold working |
alpha bronze | an alloy of copper and tin that can be worked |
alpha iron | a magnetic allotrope of iron, stable belowdegrees centigrade |
alpha-tocopheral | a potent form of vitamin E obtained from germ oils or by synthesis |
alpha globulin | a globulin in blood plasma or serum that is alkaline and has great electrophoretic mobility |
high-density lipoprotein HDL alpha-lipoprotein | a lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood, composed of a high proportion of protein and relatively little cholesterol, high levels are thought to be associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis |
alpha fetoprotein alpha foetoprotein AFP | an abnormally large amount of this fetoprotein in the fetus can signal an abnormality of the neural tube (as spina bifida or anencephaly) |
alpha and omega | the first and last, signifies God's eternity |
alpha | early testing stage of a software or hardware product, alpha version |
alpha | first in order of importance, the alpha male in the group of chimpanzees, the alpha star in a constellation is the brightest or main star |