What is the difference between epinepherin and norepinepherin?

Answer 1

Epinephrine and norepinephrine are two very structurally similar molecules. They've both involved in the sympathetic part of your autonomic nervous system.

Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) is a hormone which is secreted from the adrenal medulla when activated by the sympathetic nervous system (during times of stress).

Norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) is a neurotransmitter that is released by neurons in the sympathetic nervous system.

Epinephrine and norepinephrine generally produce the same effects as they both interact with adrenergic receptors in the body.

Epinephrine is structurally different from norepinephrine as epinephrine has a methyl group (-CH3) attached to the nitrogen atom (making it a secondary amine), whereas norepinephrine is just a primary amine.

Image Google 'norepinephrine and epinephrine' to view their chemical structures.

Answer 2

Epinephrine and norepinephrine are both hormones produced by the adrenal glands, but they have different effects in the body. Epinephrine primarily acts on the heart and lungs to increase heart rate and dilate airways, while norepinephrine acts more on blood vessels to increase blood pressure. Additionally, epinephrine is often referred to as adrenaline, while norepinephrine is sometimes called noradrenaline.