What are Neurotransmitters?
- Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the nervous system.
- They carry signals from one neuron (nerve cell) to another across a tiny gap called the synapse.
- They are released from the axon terminal of one neuron, travel across the synapse, and bind to receptors on the next neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.
- This process allows the brain and body to communicate, controlling things like movement, mood, memory, and heartbeat.
Relation Between Neurotransmitters and Amines
Many important neurotransmitters are amines (organic compounds containing nitrogen).
This happens because amines:
- Are derived from amino acids.
- Can easily interact with receptors through hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions.
- Are water-soluble, so they can travel in the synaptic fluid.
Examples of Amines as Neurotransmitters
- Dopamine – a catecholamine amine that regulates pleasure, reward, and movement.
- Serotonin – an indoleamine that controls mood, sleep, and appetite.
- Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) – helps with alertness and the “fight or flight” response.
- Epinephrine (adrenaline) – increases heart rate and energy in stress situations.
- Histamine – regulates immune response, stomach acid secretion, and also acts in the brain for wakefulness.
- Acetylcholine – not an amine itself, but closely related; controls muscle contraction and memory.
Summary
- Neurotransmitters = brain’s chemical messengers.
- Many of them are amines (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, histamine).
- The amine group makes them biologically active, soluble, and capable of binding effectively to receptors.