Chemistry Of Neurotransmitter Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is noradrenaline and what does it do in the body.
It is involved in the fight and flight response and contracts blood vessels to increase blood flow.
Describe the structure of Noradrenaline
Contains a Benzene ring with two hydroxyl groups attached.
A chiral centre with a hydroxyl group and a primary amine attached.
How is Noradrenaline Synthesized?
Tyrosine + AAAH (Hydroxyl group added to the aromatic ring).
L-DOPA + AADC (Gets rid of carboxylic acid)
Dopamine + DBH (adds another OH onto the alkane)
How does noradrenaline bind to its receptor.
Electron-rich benzene ring interacts with an electron-rich flat area.
The ionised NH3+ group interacts with the negative anionic site.
OH group on the molecule forms hydrogen bonds with the receptor.
What is adrenaline and how is it used in the body.
Produced in high stress or exciting situations
Stimulates heart rate, and contracts blood vessels, to increase blood flow and air to the lungs.
Describe the structure of Adrenaline.
Two OH groups are attached to a benzene ring.
Which is attached to a chiral centre with a hydroxyl group and a secondary amine.
How is adrenaline synthesised.
Noradrenaline + PNMT (Adds methyl group onto amine group)
What is the interactions of adrenaline and its receptor.
Beta-Adrenergic Receptor binding sites.
What is Dopamine and what does it do in the body.
Associated with feelings of satisfaction or pleasure and addiction.
Behaviours can be natural, as with eating and sex or unnatural as with drug addiction.
Describe the structure of Dopamine.
Benzene ring with two OH groups attached
Then a long-chain alkane with a primary amine on the end.
How is dopamine synthesised?
Tyrosine + AAAH (adds hydroxyl to benzene ring)
I-DOPA + AADC (removes carboxylic acid group)
What is serotonin and what does it do in the body.
Thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.
Regulates the sleep cycle along with melatonin and regulates the intestines.
Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression and anxiety.
Describe the structure of serotonin.
One benzene ring with a hydroxyl group.
Another with an amine group attached.
A long chain alkane with an amine attached.
How is serotonin synthesised.
Tryptophan + TPH( adds OH to benzene ring)
5-HTP + AADC ( Cleaves off carboxylic acid group.
What is gamma-aminobutyric acid and how does it work in the body.
Also known as GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain to calms firing nerves in the CNS.
Increased levels increase focus and relaxation.
Describe the structure of GABA
A carboxyl group with a long-chain alkane with a primary amine.
How is GABA synthesised.
Glutamate + GDC (Removes carboxylic acid group)
What is Acetylcholine and what does it do.
The principal neurotransmitter is involved in thought learning and memory.
It also regulates muscle action.
Damage to acetylcholine areas has been linked to Alzheimers.
describe Acetylcholines structure
A quarternary amine with an ester link.
How is acetylcholine synthesised.
Acetyl-CoA + Choline helped by choline acetyltransferase
What is glutamate and what does it do.
Glutamate is the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain involved in learning and memory.
Glutamate is actually toxic to neurons in larger quantities leading to cell death in the brain.
describe the structure of glutamate
Two ester links with an amine in-between.
How is glutamate synthesised
Glutamine + Glutaminase (cleaves amine group)
What are endorphins and what do they do.
Endorphins are a range of compounds that are released in the brain during exercise, pain and sexual activity.
