Norepinephrine
Definition
Norepinephrine is both a hormone and neurotransmitter involved in stress response; it increases heart rate, releases glucose from energy stores, and increases blood flow to skeletal muscle.
Analogy
Norepinephrine is like your body's alarm system. When you're in danger or under stress, it sounds the alarm, preparing your body for action just like how an alarm system alerts you when there's a break-in.
Related terms
Fight-or-Flight Response: A physiological reaction that occurs in response to threat to life.
Adrenaline: Also known as epinephrine, a hormone secreted by adrenal glands, enhancing heart rate, metabolic rate and respiration (similar function as norepinephrine).
Stress Hormones: Hormones that are released during stressful situations including adrenaline and cortisol.
"Norepinephrine" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (1)
- What type of medication increases the availability of norepinephrine or serotonin in synapses?
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