adrenaline
A hormone and neurotransmitter
that, along with smaller amounts of noradrenaline,
is secreted by the medulla of the adrenal gland
and acts on the alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. Adrenaline, also known
as epinephrine (especially in the United States), makes
the heart beat faster. It also makes the bronchi
open and diverts blood from the skin and digestive system to the heart and
muscles. Adrenaline plays a central role in the short-term stress reaction
– the physiological response to threatening or exciting conditions
(fight-or-flight response). Synthetic adrenaline is used medicinally in
some situations, especially in the resuscitation of patients in shock
or following cardiac arrest.
Adrenaline was the first hormone to be discovered, by the American biochemist
John Jacon Abel, who published his results
in 1898.
Related category
• BIOCHEMISTRY
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