Whats the difference between adrenaline and noradrenaline???
Any help would be appreciated!!!
That's a fair question. We'll tackle the simple part first. In North
America, we refer to the two compounds as epinephrine and norepinephrine
while in the UK they're referred to as adrenaline and noradrenaline. The
reason, I suppose has to do with the proprietary names that different drug
companies gave them on each side of the Atlantic ocean, They are in fact,
4-[1-hydroxy-2-(methylamino)ethyl]-1,2-benzenediol (adreneline, epinephrine) and 4-(2-hydroxy-1-hydroxyethyl)-1,2-benzenediol (noradreneline, norepinephrine), respectively.Now, for the second part of your question, what's the difference between a hormone and a neurotransmitter? Well, the difference is really a semantic one, depending on where the molecule is released. A hormone, by definition, is a compound produced by an endocrine gland and released into the bloodstream where it can find it's target cells at some distance from it's actual site of release. A neurotransmitter on the other hand is a compound released from a nerve terminal. When an electrical impulse travels to the end of a nerve cell, it stimulates the terminal of this cell to secrete a chemical signalling molecule at a special junction between nerve cells called a synapse. These nerve terminals are in direct apposition with their target cells to ensure rapid and specific delivery of the signal. This mode of transmission is in general much faster than the endocrine transmission I mentioned above. Both target cells possess receptors for the signalling molecule and may produce identical biochemical responses, it's just a question of the release mechanism that determines whether or not a given molecule is a neurotransmitter or a hormone. So, in the case of adrenaline, it's a hormone when the adrenal gland releases it into the bloodstream and it goes to the heart or the lungs OR it's a
neurotransmitter when it is released from a stimulated presynaptic nerve
cell and acts on it's neighbouring postsynaptic cell. Hope this helps...
WLCM
:)
Adrenaline and noradrenaline, also known as epinephrine and norepinephrine, respectively, have similar structures and functions in the body. However, there are some differences between the two.
One difference is their location of production. Adrenaline is primarily produced in the adrenal medulla, which is located on top of the kidneys. On the other hand, noradrenaline is produced and released by sympathetic nerve endings throughout the body.
Another difference is their effects on the body. Adrenaline has a more widespread effect on various organs and tissues. It increases heart rate, dilates airways, constricts blood vessels in certain areas like the skin, and increases blood flow to vital organs like the heart and brain. It is often released during times of stress or excitement, preparing the body for a "fight or flight" response.
Noradrenaline, on the other hand, is primarily involved in regulating blood pressure and maintaining a normal state of arousal and attention. It acts as a neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous systems, helping to transmit signals between nerve cells.
In terms of chemical structure, adrenaline and noradrenaline have a slight difference in their functional groups. Adrenaline has a methyl group (-CH3) on its amine (NH2) part, whereas noradrenaline has a hydrogen (-H) in that position.
To remember the difference between adrenaline and noradrenaline, you can think of adrenaline as being more "adrenal" and having a broader impact on the body, while noradrenaline is more focused on regulating blood pressure and arousal.
I hope this explanation helps clarify the difference between adrenaline and noradrenaline for you!