Question

A catecholamine contains what two key components?

What is special about dobutamine?
a) A benzene ring and an amino group; It has selective beta-2 receptor activity
b) A catechol nucleus and a hydroxyl group; It is an inotrope with minimal chronotropic effects
c) A carboxylic acid and an ester group; It can be administered orally
d) A sulfur atom and a halogen; It is a potent vasoconstrictor

Answer 1

A catecholamine is characterized by a catechol nucleus and a hydroxyl group. Dobutamine, a catecholamine, is an inotrope that primarily increases the strength of heart muscle contractions with minimal effect on heart rate and acts mainly on β1 adrenergic receptors.

Step-by-step explanation:

A catecholamine contains two key components: a catechol nucleus and a hydroxyl group. Catecholamines are a family of molecules that includes dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, all of which are made from the amino acid tyrosine and are important neurotransmitters and hormones. What is special about dobutamine is that it is an inotrope with minimal chronotropic effects, meaning it can increase the strength of heart muscle contraction without significantly affecting the heart rate.

Adrenergic receptors, which catecholamines bind to, are classified into alpha (α) and beta (β) receptors. Norepinephrine acts primarily through alpha receptors, while epinephrine can act through both alpha and beta receptors. Dobutamine primarily acts on β1 receptors and is used in the treatment of heart failure due to its ability to increase cardiac output.