- alpha cells
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pl.n.1. cells in the anterior pituitary that contain acidophil granules2. cells in the pancreas which produce glucagon
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Universalium. 2010.
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Universalium. 2010.
alpha cells — pl.n. 1. cells in the anterior pituitary that contain acidophil granules 2. cells in the pancreas which produce glucagon … English World dictionary
Alpha cell — Alpha cells are endocrine cells in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. They make up 15 20% of the cells in the islets. They are responsible for synthesizing and secreting the peptide hormone glucagon, which elevates the glucose levels in… … Wikipedia
alpha granules — 1. the predominant type of granule found in platelets; they are round to oval in shape and contain fibrinogen, platelet factor 4, and various other proteins. 2. large granules in the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans, which are insoluble in … Medical dictionary
Alpha secretase — Alpha secretases are a family of proteolytic enzymes that cleave amyloid precursor protein (APP) in its transmembrane region. Specifically, alpha secretases cleave within the fragment that gives rise to the Alzheimer s disease associated peptide… … Wikipedia
Alpha particle — Alpha particles (named after and denoted by the first letter in the Greek alphabet, α) consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium nucleus; hence, it can be written as He2+ or 42He2+. They are a… … Wikipedia
Alpha-fetoprotein — (AFP) is a molecule produced in the developing embryo and fetus. In humans, AFP levels decrease gradually after birth, reaching adult levels by 8 to 12 months. Normal adult AFP levels are low, but detectable; however, AFP has no known function in … Wikipedia
Alpha 1-antitrypsin — or α1 antitrypsin (A1AT) is a glycoprotein and generally known as serum trypsin inhibitor. The correct name, however, is alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) because it is a serine protease inhibitor (serpin) inhibiting a wide variety of proteases … Wikipedia
Alpha-synuclein — is a synuclein protein of unknown function primarily found in neural tissue, where it is seen mainly in presynaptic terminals. It is predominantly expressed in the neocortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra, thalamus, and cerebellum. It is… … Wikipedia
Alpha wave — Alpha waves are electromagnetic oscillations in the frequency range of 8–12 Hz arising from synchronous and coherent ( in phase / constructive ) electrical activity of thalamic pacemaker cells in the human brain. They are also called Berger s… … Wikipedia
alpha cell — n an acidophilic glandular cell (as of the pancreas or the adenohypophysis) compare BETA CELL * * * 1. a type of islet cell that is found in the periphery of the pancreatic islets and secretes either somatostatin (alpha1 cells) or glucagon… … Medical dictionary