amine (redirected from biogenic a's)

amine (ah-mēn´) (am´in) an organic compound containing nitrogen; any of a group of compounds formed from ammonia by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by organic radicals.

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biogenic amine  a type of amine synthesized by plants and animals and frequently involved in signaling, e.g., neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, catecholamines, and serotonin; others are hormones or components of vitamins, phospholipids, bacteria, or ribosomes, e.g., cadaverine, choline, histamine, and spermine.

sympathomimetic amines  amines that mimic the actions of the sympathetic nervous system, comprising the catecholamines and drugs that mimic their actions.

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a·mine (-mn, mn)

n.

Any of a group of organic compounds of nitrogen that may be considered ammonia derivatives in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by one or more hydrocarbon radicals.

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amine

[am′in, əmēn′]

Etymology: L, ammonia

(in chemistry) an organic derivative of ammonia in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by alkyl or aryl groups.

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amine [am´in, ah´mēn]

an organic compound containing nitrogen.

biogenic amine bioamine.

sympathomimetic a's amines that mimic the actions of the sympathetic nervous system, the group includes the catecholamines and drugs that mimic their actions.

vasoactive a's amines that cause vasodilation and increase small vessel permeability, such as histamine and serotonin.

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amine

an organic compound containing nitrogen.

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biogenic a's

amine neurotransmitters, e.g. norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.

direct-acting sympathomimetic a's

activate adrenergic effector cells, e.g. catecholamine, directly and do not need adrenergic nerves to exert their effects.

amine hormones

enteroendocrine cells, distributed widely in the gastric, intestinal and pancreatic tissue, synthesize peptide and amine hormones that control the secretion of digestive juices. See also apud cells.

amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation cells

see apud cells.

toxic a's

occur in plants, e.g. cyclopamine, tyramine.

vasoactive amine

amine that causes vasodilatation and increases small vessel permeability, e.g. histamine and serotonin.