Alpha cell, pancreatic

Untitled Document

Art dictionary
Financial dictionary
Hollywood dictionary
Insurance dictionary
Literature dictionary
Medical Glossary
Real Estate dictionary
Tourism dictionary

Alpha cell, pancreatic

Alpha cell, pancreatic

A type of cell in the pancreas (the organ of the digestive system located behind the stomach). Within the pancreas, the alpha cells are located in areas called the islets of Langerhans. Alpha cells make and release glucagon which raises the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

RELATED TERMS
--------------------------------------

Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.

Pancreas
A large, elongated gland located behind the lower portion of the stomach that secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon into the blood. These hormones are essential in regulating blood sugar levels. The pancreas also secretes enzymes into the small intestine that help with digestion and neutralize acid from the stomach.

Organ
A structural unit of an animal or plant that serves a specific function.

Glucagon
The hormone from the pancreas that causes the release of stored carbohydrate in the liver to restore blood glucose levels. Glucagon uses the second messenger cyclic AMP to exert its biological action.

Glucose
The only simple carbohydrate that circulates in the bloodstream. Glucose is the primary fuel used by the brain. It can also be stored in the liver and muscles in a polymer form known as glycogen.

Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.

SIMILAR TERMS
--------------------------------------

Alpha blocker
A drug that blocks receptors in arteries and smooth muscle. This action relaxes the blood vessels and leads to an increase in blood flow and a lower pressure for the control of hypertension. The action in the urinary tract enhances urinary flow in prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate). The alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), and The alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), and terazosin (Hytrin).

Alpha Cell
A type of cell in the pancreas (in areas called the islets of Langerhans). Alpha cells make and release a hormone called glucagon, which raises the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Alpha chymar
Alpha chymar is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): chymotrypsin .

Alpha error
(statistics) See Type 1 error.

Alpha helix
The coiled structure of many proteins consisting of a single chain of amino acids stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The alpha helix was first proposed by Linus Pauling and Robert Corey in a brilliant series of paper in the early 1950s. It is also known as the Pauling-Corey helix. See also: Pauling, Linus.

Alpha interferon
A protein produced by the body in response to an infection. There are 3 major classes of interferon -- alpha, beta, and gamma.

Alpha linolenic acid
See: Alpha-linolenic acid.

Alpha Omega Alpha
The medical honor society, the medical school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa, in the United States and Canada. Membership is by election for distinguished academic achievement. Medical students, house officers, and medical school alumni and faculty are eligible for election. Also known as AOA.

Alpha particle
" tiny mass of material composed of two protons and two neutrons. Alpha particles do not travel very far from their radioactive source. They cannot pass through a piece of paper, clothes or even the layer of dead cells which normally protects the skin. Because alpha particles cannot penetrate human skin they are not considered an ""external exposure hazard."" This means that if the alpha particles stay outside the human body they cannot harm it. However, alpha particle sources located within the body may pose an ""internal"" health hazard if they are present in great enough quantities. For instance, the risk from indoor radon gas is due to inhaled alpha particle sources which irradiate lung tissue. Alpha rays are streams of alpha particles."

Alpha synuclein
See: Alpha-synuclein.

Alpha thalassemia
A blood disorder, thalassemia is not one disease but rather a group of disorders that have a single feature in common: they all have a genetic defect in the production of hemoglobin, the protein that enables red blood cells to carry oxygen. All forms of hemoglobin are made up of two molecules: heme and globin. Globin is made up of 4 polypeptide chains. In normal adult hemoglobin (Hb A), the predominant type of hemoglobin after the first year of life, 2 of the globin polypeptide chains are identical to one another and are designated the alpha chains. The other 2 chains are also identical to one another but differ from the alpha chains and are termed the beta chains. In fetal hemoglobin (Hb F), the predominant hemoglobin during fetal development, there are 2 alpha chains and 2 different chains called gamma chains. The problem in the thalassemias is with globin production. The thalassemias are classified according to the type of globin polypeptide chain that is underproduced. The alpha chain is involved in alpha thalassemia (and the beta chain is affected in the more familiar beta thalassemia). In alpha thalassemia, the heterozygous state (with a single gene for alpha thalassemia) is innocuous or harmless. There are no symptoms or at most mild anemia, because there is another gene still able to make alpha chains. However, the homozygous state (with both genes for alpha thalassemia) is lethal before birth because no alpha chains can be made and without alpha chains, there can be no Hb F or Hb A and without Hb F or Hb A, the inevitable result is an unsuccessful pregnancy.

Alpha-1
Short for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
An inherited disorder that results in low or no production of a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin. This deficiency leads to damage of various organs, principally the lungs and liver. Symptoms can surface at a very early age or in adulthood and relate to the lungs (with shortness of breath) or the liver. There are several options for treatment of the lung disease, including replacement of the missing protein. Treatment of the liver disease is a well-timed liver transplant. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is made in the liver which releases it into the bloodstream. When the lungs do not have enough alpha-1 antitrypsin, the enzyme neutrophil elastase is free to destroy lung tissue. As a result, the lungs lose some of their elasticity and their ability to expand and contract. This leads to emphysema and sometimes makes breathing difficult. Shortness of breath may occur. The speed at which lung tissue is destroyed varies with each person. Tobacco smoking worsens alpha-1 antitrypsin lung damage. It irritates and damages the lungs, prompting the body to send more white blood cells to protect them. The more white blood cells there are, the more neutrophil elastase is made, causing even more lung damage. The smoke itself also alters alpha-1 antitrypsin so that it cannot do as good a job protecting the lungs from harm. Smokers with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency have a faster rate of lung damage.

Alpha-defensin
See: Defensin.

Alpha-ET
Street name for alpha-ethyltryptamine.

Alpha-ethltryptamine
"An illicit hallucinogenic drug related to tryptamine. Street names for alpha-ethyltryptamine include: Alpha-ET; ET; Love pearls; Trip (also refers to LSD). Many agents in the class of tryptamines are hallucinogenic substances that exist naturally in some plants, fungi, and animals, but also can be produced synthetically. These hallucinogens have been placed in Schedule I of the CSA (Controlled Substances Act) and include psilocybin, psilocyn, bufotenine, alpha-ethyltryptamine, diethyltryptamine, and dimethyltryptamine. There are also numerous types of tryptamines available, including AMT (alpha-methyltryptamine) and Foxy (5-MeO-DIPT), that are not listed under the CSA."

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
A protein produced by a developing fetus that is present in amniotic fluid and, in smaller amounts, in a pregnant woman's blood. Abnormal levels of AFP found in a blood test between the 15th and 18th weeks of pregnancy can indicate abnormalities in the fetus.

Alpha-galactosidase A deficiency
See: Fabry disease.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor
A class of oral medications for type 2 diabetes that decrease the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine, resulting in a slower and lower rise in blood glucose throughout the day, especially right after meals. Before carbohydrates are absorbed from food, they must be broken down into smaller sugar particles like glucose by enzymes in the small intestine. One of the enzymes involved in breaking down carbohydrates is called alpha glucosidase. By inhibiting this enzyme, carbohydrates are not broken down as efficiently and glucose absorption is delayed. The alpha-glucosidase inhibitors include Precose (acarbose) and Glyset (miglitol).

Alpha-linolenic acid
An essential fatty acid found in flaxseed oil, canola oil and walnuts. Abbreviated ALA.

Alpha-synuclein
One in a family of structurally related proteins that are prominently expressed in the central nervous system. Aggregated alpha-synuclein proteins form brain lesions that are hallmarks of some neurodegenerative diseases (synucleinopathies). The gene for alpha-synuclein, which is called SNCA, is on chromosome 4q21. One form of hereditary Parkinson disease is due to mutations in SNCA. Another form of hereditary Parkinson disease is due to a triplication of SNCA. See also: Parkinson disease gene.

Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency
Congenital lack of an enzyme that leads to cirrhosis of the liver and obstructive lung disease.

Alphacaine
Alphacaine is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): lidocaine .

Alphacaine hcl
Alphacaine hcl is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): lidocaine hydrochloride .

Alphacaine hcl with epinephrine
Alphacaine hcl with epinephrine is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): epinephrine; lidocaine hydrochloride .

Alphaderm
Alphaderm is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): hydrocortisone; urea .

Alphadrol
Alphadrol is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): fluprednisolone .

Alphagan
Alphagan is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): brimonidine tartrate .

Alphagan p
Alphagan p is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): brimonidine tartrate .

Alphalin
Alphalin is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): vitamin a palmitate .

Alpharedisol
Alpharedisol is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): hydroxocobalamin .

Alphatrex
Alphatrex is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): betamethasone dipropionate .

Alphazine
Alphazine is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) legal in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): phendimetrazine tartrate .

PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS
--------------------------------------

Alopecia universalis
"Absence of all of the hair, not only on the scalp, but also on the entire body. Affected individuals are born without eyebrows and eyelashes and never develop axillary or pubic hair. There are hair follicles but they are devoid of hair. The disorder is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. It is caused by a mutation in a gene dubbed HR in chromosome band 8p21.2 that is the human homolog of the mouse ""hairless"" gene -- the human version of the gene in the mouse that is responsible for hairless mice."

Alopecia, traumatic
Hair loss caused by injury to the scalp. Traumatic alopecia is usually caused by grooming methods that attempt to straighten the natural kinkiness of hair in order to make the hair more manageable. It is a result of stress traction injury from tight rollers and braiding as well as overheating the hair shafts. Vigorous combing and chemical bleaches and styling products can additionally irritate the scalp to cause further hair loss. Traumatic alopecia commonly occurs on both sides of the scalp and the broken-off hairs are frequently visible. Traumatic alopecia is treated by discontinuing the styling practices causing the hair and scalp injury. Partial or complete regrowth of hair can follow, but permanent loss of hair can occur when the roots of the hairs are severely damaged. To minimize risk of injury to scalp, if a person decides to continue or resume styling, it is best to use looser and larger wrapping and braids to reduce tension on the scalp and hair. Chemicals should only be applied to the hair and not the scalp directly. The hair should be unbraided at least every two weeks. Traumatic alopecia in the United States is a common form of hair loss in African-American women.

ALOX5AP
Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein. See: FLAP.

Alpers disease
"A progressive disease of the nervous system characterized by spasticity (tightness), myoclonus and dementia and by liver problems with jaundice and cirrhosis. This disorder, first described by Alpers in 1931 as ""Diffuse progressive degeneration of gray matter of cerebrum"", usually begins early in life with convulsions. A continuous seizure (status epilepticus) is often the final event. Alpers disease is due to more than one cause. Some cases are inherited as autosomal recessive traits with both parents appearing normal but carrying one Alpers gene and each of their children, boys and girls alike, standing a 1 in 4 risk of receiving both of the parental Alpers genes and of suffering from this dread disease. Other cases of Alpers disease are disorders of oxidative phosphorylation, including mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes. (Phosphorylation is the addition of phosphate to an organic compound, such as the addition of phosphate to ADP [adenosine diphosphate] to form ATP [adenosine triphosphate] or the addition of phosphate to glucose to produce glucose monophosphate, through the action of enzymes known as phosphotransferases or kinases.) Alpers disease is also called Alpers progressive infantile poliodystrophy, progressive infantile poliodystrophy, diffuse degeneration of cerebral gray matter with hepatic cirrhosis, and Alpers diffuse degeneration of cerebral gray matter with hepatic cirrhosis."

Alpha blocker
A drug that blocks receptors in arteries and smooth muscle. This action relaxes the blood vessels and leads to an increase in blood flow and a lower pressure for the control of hypertension. The action in the urinary tract enhances urinary flow in prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate). The alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), and The alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), and terazosin (Hytrin).

Alpha cell, pancreatic

Alpha helix
The coiled structure of many proteins consisting of a single chain of amino acids stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The alpha helix was first proposed by Linus Pauling and Robert Corey in a brilliant series of paper in the early 1950s. It is also known as the Pauling-Corey helix. See also: Pauling, Linus.

Alpha interferon
A protein produced by the body in response to an infection. There are 3 major classes of interferon -- alpha, beta, and gamma.

Alpha linolenic acid
See: Alpha-linolenic acid.

Alpha Omega Alpha
The medical honor society, the medical school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa, in the United States and Canada. Membership is by election for distinguished academic achievement. Medical students, house officers, and medical school alumni and faculty are eligible for election. Also known as AOA.

Alpha particle
" tiny mass of material composed of two protons and two neutrons. Alpha particles do not travel very far from their radioactive source. They cannot pass through a piece of paper, clothes or even the layer of dead cells which normally protects the skin. Because alpha particles cannot penetrate human skin they are not considered an ""external exposure hazard."" This means that if the alpha particles stay outside the human body they cannot harm it. However, alpha particle sources located within the body may pose an ""internal"" health hazard if they are present in great enough quantities. For instance, the risk from indoor radon gas is due to inhaled alpha particle sources which irradiate lung tissue. Alpha rays are streams of alpha particles."

We thank you for using the Health Dictionary to search for Alpha cell, pancreatic. If you have a better definition for Alpha cell, pancreatic than the one presented here, please let us know by making use of the suggest a term option. This definition of Alpha cell, pancreatic may be disputed by other professionals. Our attempt is to provide easy definitions on Alpha cell, pancreatic and any other medical topic for the public at large.

This dictionary contains 25007 terms.

alphacell,pancreatic / lpha cell, pancreatic / apha cell, pancreatic / alha cell, pancreatic / alpa cell, pancreatic / alph cell, pancreatic / alphacell, pancreatic / alpha ell, pancreatic / alpha cll, pancreatic / alpha cel, pancreatic / alpha cel, pancreatic / alpha cell pancreatic / alpha cell,pancreatic / alpha cell, ancreatic / alpha cell, pncreatic / alpha cell, pacreatic / alpha cell, panreatic / alpha cell, panceatic / alpha cell, pancratic / alpha cell, pancretic / alpha cell, pancreaic / alpha cell, pancreatc / alpha cell, pancreati / aalpha cell, pancreatic / allpha cell, pancreatic / alppha cell, pancreatic / alphha cell, pancreatic / alphaa cell, pancreatic / alpha cell, pancreatic / alpha ccell, pancreatic / alpha ceell, pancreatic / alpha celll, pancreatic / alpha celll, pancreatic / alpha cell,, pancreatic / alpha cell, pancreatic / alpha cell, ppancreatic / alpha cell, paancreatic / alpha cell, panncreatic / alpha cell, panccreatic / alpha cell, pancrreatic / alpha cell, pancreeatic / alpha cell, pancreaatic / alpha cell, pancreattic / alpha cell, pancreatiic / alpha cell, pancreaticc / qlpha cell, pancreatic / wlpha cell, pancreatic / slpha cell, pancreatic / xlpha cell, pancreatic / zlpha cell, pancreatic / aopha cell, pancreatic / appha cell, pancreatic / a;pha cell, pancreatic / a.pha cell, pancreatic / a,pha cell, pancreatic / akpha cell, pancreatic / aipha cell, pancreatic / al0ha cell, pancreatic / al-ha cell, pancreatic / al[ha cell, pancreatic / al;ha cell, pancreatic / allha cell, pancreatic / aloha cell, pancreatic / al9ha cell, pancreatic / alpya cell, pancreatic / alpua cell, pancreatic / alpja cell, pancreatic / alpna cell, pancreatic / alpba cell, pancreatic / alpga cell, pancreatic / alpta cell, pancreatic / alphq cell, pancreatic / alphw cell, pancreatic / alphs cell, pancreatic / alphx cell, pancreatic / alphz cell, pancreatic / alpha xell, pancreatic / alpha sell, pancreatic / alpha dell, pancreatic / alpha fell, pancreatic / alpha vell, pancreatic / alpha ell, pancreatic / alpha c3ll, pancreatic / alpha c4ll, pancreatic / alpha crll, pancreatic / alpha cfll, pancreatic / alpha cdll, pancreatic / alpha csll, pancreatic / alpha cwll, pancreatic / alpha ceol, pancreatic / alpha cepl, pancreatic / alpha ce;l, pancreatic / alpha ce.l, pancreatic / alpha ce,l, pancreatic / alpha cekl, pancreatic / alpha ceil, pancreatic / alpha celo, pancreatic / alpha celp, pancreatic / alpha cel;, pancreatic / alpha cel., pancreatic / alpha cel,, pancreatic / alpha celk, pancreatic / alpha celi, pancreatic / alpha cell, 0ancreatic / alpha cell, -ancreatic / alpha cell, [ancreatic / alpha cell, ;ancreatic / alpha cell, lancreatic / alpha cell, oancreatic / alpha cell, 9ancreatic / alpha cell, pqncreatic / alpha cell, pwncreatic / alpha cell, psncreatic / alpha cell, pxncreatic / alpha cell, pzncreatic / alpha cell, pabcreatic / alpha cell, pahcreatic / alpha cell, pajcreatic / alpha cell, pamcreatic / alpha cell, pa creatic / alpha cell, panxreatic / alpha cell, pansreatic / alpha cell, pandreatic / alpha cell, panfreatic / alpha cell, panvreatic / alpha cell, pan reatic / alpha cell, panc4eatic / alpha cell, panc5eatic / alpha cell, pancteatic / alpha cell, pancgeatic / alpha cell, pancfeatic / alpha cell, pancdeatic / alpha cell, panceeatic / alpha cell, panc3eatic / alpha cell, pancr3atic / alpha cell, pancr4atic / alpha cell, pancrratic / alpha cell, pancrfatic / alpha cell, pancrdatic / alpha cell, pancrsatic / alpha cell, pancrwatic / alpha cell, pancreqtic / alpha cell, pancrewtic / alpha cell, pancrestic / alpha cell, pancrextic / alpha cell, pancreztic / alpha cell, pancrea5ic / alpha cell, pancrea6ic / alpha cell, pancreayic / alpha cell, pancreahic / alpha cell, pancreagic / alpha cell, pancreafic / alpha cell, pancrearic / alpha cell, pancrea4ic / alpha cell, pancreatc / alpha cell, pancreatix / alpha cell, pancreatis / alpha cell, pancreatid / alpha cell, pancreatif / alpha cell, pancreativ / alpha cell, pancreati /