CHROMAFFIN GRANULE Meaning and
Definition
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A chromaffin granule refers to a specialized small vesicle found within chromaffin cells, which are neuroendocrine cells located in the adrenal medulla and sympathetic ganglia. These granules contain a variety of substances involved in the synthesis, storage, and release of important hormones and neurotransmitters.
Chromaffin granules primarily consist of catecholamines, including adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), which are synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine. These catecholamines play a crucial role in the body's response to stress, regulating blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism.
Within the granules, catecholamines are stored in dense cores surrounded by a lipid membrane. The dense cores represent the active form of the hormones and neurotransmitters, ready to be released upon a stimulus. This stimulus can be a nerve impulse, stress, or other signals that trigger the release of these substances into the bloodstream or synaptic clefts for rapid systemic effects.
Chromaffin granules are visible under light microscopy due to their characteristic staining properties. They exhibit a brownish color after being exposed to chromium salts, which is known as the "chromaffin reaction" and gives these vesicles their name.
The release of catecholamines from chromaffin granules is a critical component of the body's stress response system, regulating various physiological processes. Dysfunction of chromaffin granules can contribute to various medical conditions, including pheochromocytoma, a rare tumor that arises from chromaffin cells and leads to excessive catecholamine release.
Common Misspellings for CHROMAFFIN GRANULE
- xhromaffin granule
- vhromaffin granule
- fhromaffin granule
- dhromaffin granule
- cgromaffin granule
- cbromaffin granule
- cnromaffin granule
- cjromaffin granule
- curomaffin granule
- cyromaffin granule
- cheomaffin granule
- chdomaffin granule
- chfomaffin granule
- chtomaffin granule
- ch5omaffin granule
- ch4omaffin granule
- chrimaffin granule
- chrkmaffin granule
- chrlmaffin granule
- chrpmaffin granule
Etymology of CHROMAFFIN GRANULE
The word "chromaffin" is derived from the Greek words "chroma" meaning "color", and "affinis" meaning "related" or "affiliated". It refers to the color of the granules found in certain cells.
The term "granule" originates from the Latin word "granulum", meaning "small grain". It is used to describe small, discrete particles or small sacs found in cells.
Thus, when combined, "chromaffin granule" refers to the small, pigmented particles found in certain cells. Specifically, it commonly refers to the granules present in chromaffin cells, which are neuroendocrine cells found in organs such as the adrenal medulla and sympathetic ganglia. These granules contain various substances, including catecholamines like adrenaline and noradrenaline.
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