Question

Noradrenaline is a/an:
A) Neurotransmitter
B) Antidepressant
C) Antihistamine
D) Antacid

Answer 1

Noradrenaline is also known as norepinephrine. It is an organic compound that functions in our brain and body. Its function is to mobilize the brain and body for the various important actions. It is produced in the inner part of the adrenal glands, also called adrenal medulla. Most of the noradrenaline in the blood comes from the nerve endings.

Complete answer:
Noradrenaline, also called norepinephrine belongs to the catecholamine family that functions in the brain and body.
Its structure is:

Noradrenaline is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger which transmits the signals across nerve endings in the body and it is also a hormone, produced by the adrenal glands. In the brain, noradrenaline increases the arousal and alertness, plays a major role in the sleep and wake-up cycle, in focussing attention and focussing on performing a task and in memory storage. It is also majorly important for the emotions. In the rest of the body, noradrenaline increases the heart rate and blood-pressure. It also helps in breaking down the fat and increasing blood sugar levels to provide more energy to the body. It also increases blood flow to muscles. Parts of the body that produce noradrenaline or are affected by it are called noradrenergic.
Hence, noradrenaline is a neurotransmitter.

Thus, option A is correct.

Additional information:
During sleep, release of noradrenaline is the lowest. It rises during wakefulness and reaches higher levels during situations of stress or danger. Its response in stressful situations is called fight-or-flight response.

Note:
It should be noted that noradrenaline besides functioning as a neurotransmitter, also functions as hormone. It is released as the hormone into the blood, where it causes blood vessels to contract and increases the heart rate. It also plays a major role in mood disorders such as manic and depression.