NOREPINEPHRINE Meaning and
Definition
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Norepinephrine is a neurochemical substance that serves as a neurotransmitter in the human body. It is synthesized from dopamine and functions as both a hormone and a neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous system.
As a neurotransmitter, norepinephrine is responsible for transmitting signals between nerve cells, allowing for communication in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the brain, it plays a significant role in regulating various functions, including mood, attention, and cognition. It is involved in the body's "fight or flight" response, enabling a rapid reaction to potential threats by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow to muscles.
Additionally, norepinephrine acts as a hormone, released from the adrenal glands into the bloodstream, affecting distant target tissues. It aids in regulating blood pressure by constricting blood vessels, thereby increasing resistance and maintaining blood flow to vital organs during stress or physical exertion.
Imbalances in the production or regulation of norepinephrine can have profound effects on mental and physical health. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been associated with abnormalities in norepinephrine function.
In summary, norepinephrine is a critical neurotransmitter and hormone involved in the modulation of various physiological processes. Its role in regulating the body's response to stress, as well as its impact on mood and cognitive functions, make it an essential component of the human body's intricate communication system.
Common Misspellings for NOREPINEPHRINE
- borepinephrine
- morepinephrine
- jorepinephrine
- horepinephrine
- nirepinephrine
- nkrepinephrine
- nlrepinephrine
- nprepinephrine
- n0repinephrine
- n9repinephrine
- noeepinephrine
- nodepinephrine
- nofepinephrine
- notepinephrine
- no5epinephrine
- no4epinephrine
- norwpinephrine
- norspinephrine
- nordpinephrine
- norapinephrine
Etymology of NOREPINEPHRINE
The word "norepinephrine" has its etymological roots in Greek and English. The prefix "nor-" in norepinephrine refers to "normal" or "not", indicating that it is structurally similar to epinephrine but lacks the methyl group found on the nitrogen atom in epinephrine.
The term "epinephrine" comes from combining the prefix "epi-" meaning "above" or "on top" and "nephros", which means "kidney" in Greek, indicating that the substance is secreted by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys.
Therefore, "norepinephrine" can be seen as "not epinephrine", reflecting the slight structural difference between the two compounds.
