A nerve cell type in which epinephrine or norepinephrine acts as a neurotransmitter is described as which type?

A nerve cell type in which epinephrine or norepinephrine acts as a neurotransmitter is described as which type?

• A. Norepinephrine
• B. Adrenergic
• C. Cholinergic
• D. GABAergic

Answer: (B)

Adrenergic describes neurons that use norepinephrine (noradrenaline) as their transmitter. In the peripheral nervous system, most postganglionic sympathetic neurons release norepinephrine, and its effects are mediated by adrenergic receptors (the alpha and beta families) on target tissues. Epinephrine can act as a transmitter in some contexts and is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream, but when naming the nerve cell type that uses these chemicals as its neurotransmitter, the correct term is adrenergic. This is distinct from cholinergic neurons (which use acetylcholine) or GABAergic neurons (which use GABA).

Adrenergic describes neurons that use norepinephrine (noradrenaline) as their transmitter. In the peripheral nervous system, most postganglionic sympathetic neurons release norepinephrine, and its effects are mediated by adrenergic receptors (the alpha and beta families) on target tissues. Epinephrine can act as a transmitter in some contexts and is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream, but when naming the nerve cell type that uses these chemicals as its neurotransmitter, the correct term is adrenergic. This is distinct from cholinergic neurons (which use acetylcholine) or GABAergic neurons (which use GABA).