catecholamines
Fight-or-flight chemicals
Catecholamines are a class of hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate the body's stress response, heart rate, and blood pressure.
The main catecholamines are adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine), and dopamine—all produced in the adrenal glands or nervous system.
They trigger the fight-or-flight response: Her catecholamine levels spiked during the emergency.
Alertness and stress hormone
- tyrosineProtein-building amino acid
- monoamineSingle-amine compound
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
- neurohormoneNerve-secreted bloodstream messenger
endocrine · secretion · adrenergic · receptor · synthesis
Arterial walls contracting inward
- heart rateCardiac contractions per minute
- blood pressureCirculatory force measurement
- bronchodilationWidening of air passages
- pupil dilationEye opening widening
lipolysis · cardiac output · smooth muscle · tachycardia · thermogenesis · sweating · tremor · piloerection
Acute threat reaction
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- activationSetting into operation
- surgeSudden powerful increase
release · cortisol · sympathetic · acute stress · hyperarousal · startle · emergency · vigilance
Carboxyl group elimination
- methylationAttaching a methyl group
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- metabolitesChemicals from bodily processes
- excretionRemoval of metabolic waste
degradation · conjugation · sulfation · clearance · half-life · urinalysis
Cancer from primitive nerve cells
- hypertensionChronic elevated arterial pressure
- carcinoidSlow neoplasm secreting hormones
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- beta-blockersHeart rate reducers
norepinephrine
Alertness and stress hormone
- tyrosineProtein-building amino acid
- monoamineSingle-amine compound
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
neurohormone · endocrine · secretion · adrenergic · receptor · synthesis
vasoconstriction
Arterial walls contracting inward
- heart rateCardiac contractions per minute
- blood pressureCirculatory force measurement
- bronchodilationWidening of air passages
pupil dilation · lipolysis · cardiac output · smooth muscle · tachycardia · thermogenesis · sweating · tremor · piloerection
fight-or-flight
Acute threat reaction
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- arousalStirring to heightened state
- activationSetting into operation
surge · release · cortisol · sympathetic · acute stress · hyperarousal · startle · emergency · vigilance · mobilization
decarboxylation
Carboxyl group elimination
- methylationAttaching a methyl group
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- metabolitesChemicals from bodily processes
excretion · degradation · conjugation · sulfation · clearance · half-life · urinalysis
neuroblastoma
Cancer from primitive nerve cells
- hypertensionChronic elevated arterial pressure
- carcinoidSlow neoplasm secreting hormones
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
catecholaminescorticosteroids
Inflammation-suppressing steroid medications
glucocorticoids · cortisol · aldosterone · cortisone · steroid hormones
catecholaminesacetylcholine
Neurotransmitter for muscles and memory