Biogenic amine
Biogenic amine
Biogenic amines (pronunciation: /baɪoʊˈdʒɛnɪk ˈeɪmiːn/) are organic compounds produced by living organisms that contain one or more basic nitrogen atoms. They are derived from amino acids and are involved in various biological processes.
Etymology
The term "biogenic" is derived from the Greek words "bios" meaning "life" and "genes" meaning "born". "Amine" comes from the Arabic "al-mina", meaning "heavenly", which was used to refer to ammonia, from which amines are derived.
Types of Biogenic Amines
Biogenic amines can be classified into different types based on their chemical structure and biological function. Some of the most important types include:
- Serotonin: A neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.
- Dopamine: A neurotransmitter involved in reward and motivation.
- Histamine: A compound involved in local immune responses and regulating physiological function in the gut.
- Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline): A hormone that increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, dilates air passages and participates in the fight-or-flight response of the autonomic nervous system.
- Norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline): A hormone and neurotransmitter involved in the body's stress response.
Related Terms
- Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another 'target' neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.
- Hormone: Chemical messengers that are secreted directly into the blood, which carries them to organs and tissues of the body to exert their functions.
- Amino Acid: Organic compounds that combine to form proteins.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Biogenic amine
- Wikipedia's article - Biogenic amine
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