Neurotransmitters & Precursors Flashcards
phenylalanine
reaction
Phe -> Tyr
phenylalanine
enzyme
phenylalanine hydroxylase
what is NutraSweet and what does it interfere with?
D/L phenylalanine + aspartate (aspartame)
interferes with phenylalanine hydroxylase
tyrosine
catacholamines
Tyrosine->
- L Dopa
- Dopamine
- Norepinephrine
- Epinephrine
tyrosine
pigmentation
tyrosine -> melanin
enzyme = tyrosinase
what is missing in albinism?
melanin (have melanocytes)
tyrosine
thyroid hormones
- inactive: T4 (thyroxine)
- active: T3 (triiodothyronine)
T4 location
thyroid
T3 location
liver
T4 composition
2 tyr + 4 iodine
T3 composition
2 tyr + 3 iodine
how do T3 & T4 control metabolism?
make bigger and more mitochondria
tryptophan
products
serotonin
melatonin
niacin (B3)
tryptophan
serotonin reaction
Trp -> 5OHTrp -> 5HTP (5 hydroxytryptamine)
high levels of serotinin will cause…
increased bowel motility (diarrhea) + panic
low levels of serotonin will cause…
worry/depression + constipation
changes in bowel motility indicates serotonin is…
produced in the gut
histidine
reaction
histidine -> histamine
enzyme = decarboxylase (B1)
histidine
functions
- H1 receptors in capillary & hypothalamus = vasodilation & release ant. pituitary hormones
- H2 receptors in parietal cells = release stomach acid
glutamate
function
important excitatory NT in CNS (Mg is gate keeper)
Mg slows Na/Ca intake
glutamate
excitatory reaction
binds to NMDA receptors
glutamate is part of…
glutathione
SGPT
glutamate
inhibitory reaction
glutamate -> GABA (helps focus)
requires decarboxylase, B1, B6
function of glycine
inhibitory NT in skeletal muscle interneurons
serine
reaction
serine -> choline
requires B6, B9 (folic acid), B12
serine
choline reaction
choline + Acetyl CoA -> acetyl choline
arginine
function
vasodilation
arginine
reaction
arginine -> citrulline
(makes NO)
