The grayscale alpha channel determines how blending will occur.
A grayscale channel that can usually store 256 (8-bit) different values of gray to define how an image will be displayed over a background image. Alpha channels are usually used to create transparency effects. For example, 100% white areas in an alpha channel totally mask the background while 50% gray areas result in equal blending of the image and the background. Consequently, 0% white (black) areas totally mask the respective areas of the image so that only the background image will be visible. Any values other than those mentioned above will determine whether the background or the image will be more visible or in other words the amount of blending.