|
|
Article: Epinephrine
- Article from:
- Chemistry: Foundations and Applications
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 The Gale Group, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Epinephrine
Epinephrine, also known as
adrenalin
, is a hormone that is responsible for the "fight or flight" reaction in mammals. Chemically, it mobilizes the body's defense system, inducing the release into the blood of large amounts of
glucose
from stores in the liver and muscles. This burst of energy is the familiar "adrenalin rush" one experiences when frightened or excited. In some tissues, epinephrine also acts as a neurotransmitter, conveying signals between adjacent nerve cells.
Epinephrine (see Figure 1) is synthesized in several steps from either phenylalanine or
tyrosine
(both amino acids). Two adjacent hydroxyl groups are placed on the aromatic ring, leading to the ...