Answer
Two amino acids that serve as hormone precursors are tryptophan and tyrosine. From these amino acids, various hormones are produced through different enzymatic pathways. Here are the hormones produced from each of these amino acids:
1. **Tryptophan (Precursor):**
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that serves as a precursor for the synthesis of the hormone serotonin and the hormone melatonin.
- **Serotonin:** Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a role in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep. It is synthesized from tryptophan through a series of enzymatic reactions in which tryptophan is hydroxylated and decarboxylated.
- **Melatonin:** Melatonin is a hormone primarily produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness. It plays a key role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms. Tryptophan serves as the precursor for melatonin synthesis, undergoing several enzymatic conversions to produce melatonin.
2. **Tyrosine (Precursor):**
Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that serves as a precursor for the synthesis of several important hormones known as catecholamines and thyroid hormones.
- **Dopamine:** Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays roles in reward, motivation, and movement control. It is synthesized from tyrosine through a series of enzymatic reactions, including hydroxylation and decarboxylation.
- **Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline):** Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter and hormone involved in the "fight or flight" response. It is synthesized from dopamine through further enzymatic modifications.
- **Epinephrine (Adrenaline):** Epinephrine is another neurotransmitter and hormone that is released during stressful situations to prepare the body for rapid action. It is synthesized from norepinephrine through additional enzymatic conversions.
- **Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3):** These thyroid hormones play crucial roles in regulating metabolism and growth. They are synthesized in the thyroid gland from tyrosine molecules that are iodinated and coupled together.
These examples demonstrate the diverse array of hormones that can be synthesized from the precursor amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine, highlighting the complexity of hormonal regulation in the body.
Work Step by Step
Two amino acids that serve as hormone precursors are tryptophan and tyrosine. From these amino acids, various hormones are produced through different enzymatic pathways. Here are the hormones produced from each of these amino acids:
1. **Tryptophan (Precursor):**
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that serves as a precursor for the synthesis of the hormone serotonin and the hormone melatonin.
- **Serotonin:** Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a role in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep. It is synthesized from tryptophan through a series of enzymatic reactions in which tryptophan is hydroxylated and decarboxylated.
- **Melatonin:** Melatonin is a hormone primarily produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness. It plays a key role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms. Tryptophan serves as the precursor for melatonin synthesis, undergoing several enzymatic conversions to produce melatonin.
2. **Tyrosine (Precursor):**
Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that serves as a precursor for the synthesis of several important hormones known as catecholamines and thyroid hormones.
- **Dopamine:** Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays roles in reward, motivation, and movement control. It is synthesized from tyrosine through a series of enzymatic reactions, including hydroxylation and decarboxylation.
- **Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline):** Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter and hormone involved in the "fight or flight" response. It is synthesized from dopamine through further enzymatic modifications.
- **Epinephrine (Adrenaline):** Epinephrine is another neurotransmitter and hormone that is released during stressful situations to prepare the body for rapid action. It is synthesized from norepinephrine through additional enzymatic conversions.
- **Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3):** These thyroid hormones play crucial roles in regulating metabolism and growth. They are synthesized in the thyroid gland from tyrosine molecules that are iodinated and coupled together.
These examples demonstrate the diverse array of hormones that can be synthesized from the precursor amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine, highlighting the complexity of hormonal regulation in the body.
