A class of chemical compounds based upon ammonia where one or more hydrogen molecule(s) is replaced with an organic group. These compounds are common in a human’s physiologic system.
There are amines that mimic the actions of the sympathetic nervous system – sympathomimetic amines. There are amines that cause vasodilation and increase the permeability (leakiness) of small vessels – vasoactive amines. These include histamine and serotonin.
The amines can be classified by chemical composition. When one hydrogen molecule is replace the resulting compound is a primary amine. When to of the hydrogen molecules are replaced it is a secondary amine. When three are replaced it it’s a tertiary amine. When four are replaced it is a quaternary amine.
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