amine
Ammonia with substitutions
An amine is an organic compound derived from ammonia, with one or more hydrogen atoms replaced by carbon-containing groups.
Amines are fundamental in chemistry and biology—they form the backbone of amino acids, appear in neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, and give many organic substances their characteristic fishy or pungent odors.
Reward-linked neural messenger
- serotoninMood-regulating brain chemical
- histamineAllergy-response compound
- epinephrineAdrenal stress hormone
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
melatonin · tyramine · tryptamine · cadaverine · adrenaline · noradrenaline · ethanolamine · choline
Short amino acid chain
- proteinFolded amino chain
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
- nucleotideGenetic code subunit
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
biosynthesis · neurotransmitter · hormone · receptor · signaling · alkaloid · indole · catecholamine
Combining parts into whole
- reactivityTendency to chemically combine
- alkylationAdding hydrocarbon groups chemically
- substitutionExchange of one for another
- hydrochlorideOrganic base-acid salt
primary · secondary · tertiary · quaternary · nucleophile · basicity · methylation · deamination
Agent enabling change
- precursorSomething that comes first
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- pharmaceuticalsManufactured therapeutic substances
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
stabilizer · surfactant · solvent · plasticizer · water treatment · emulsifier · hardener
dopamine
Reward-linked neural messenger
- serotoninMood-regulating brain chemical
- histamineAllergy-response compound
- epinephrineAdrenal stress hormone
norepinephrine · melatonin · tyramine · tryptamine · cadaverine · adrenaline · noradrenaline · ethanolamine · choline · acetylcholine
peptide
Short amino acid chain
- proteinFolded amino chain
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
- nucleotideGenetic code subunit
metabolism · biosynthesis · neurotransmitter · hormone · receptor · signaling · alkaloid · indole · catecholamine · monoamine
synthesis
Combining parts into whole
- reactivityTendency to chemically combine
- alkylationAdding hydrocarbon groups chemically
- substitutionExchange of one for another
hydrochloride · primary · secondary · tertiary · quaternary · nucleophile · basicity · methylation · deamination · transamination
catalyst
Agent enabling change
- precursorSomething that comes first
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- pharmaceuticalsManufactured therapeutic substances
pesticides · stabilizer · surfactant · solvent · plasticizer · water treatment · emulsifier · hardener
amineacid
Low-pH chemical compound
phenol · proton donor · electrophile · electron acceptor · oxidizing agent
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- essential amino acidProtein component requiring ingestion
- reductive aminationCarbonyl converted to amine
- L-amino acidsLeft-rotating protein components