Chromaffin Cells

By Timothy S.

Chromaffin Cells produce epinephrine in the
adrenal medulla. (the principal site of the
conversion of the amino acid tyrosine into the
catecholamines epinephrine, norepinephrine,
and dopamine.) In the big picture, these cells
come from the release of adrenaline into the
bloodstream in response to a stimuli These
adrenaline-containing cells are called
"chromaffin cells".
Much more is now known about "chromaffin
cells." For example, it is not known why these
cells are stimulated to release adrenaline, they
also release enkephalins, small opiate-like
peptides, that some people say are responsible
for the euphoria that runners sometimes feel
when they go jogging. This is important
because being able to see the behavior of
different cells helps us realize their
capabilities and behaviors.

Adrenaline is a hormone and it stimulates cells
in other organs and tissues far away from the
adrenal gland . It influences the muscle of your
heart, increasing the force of contraction so
blood can be pumped to peripheral tissues
(such as leg muscles) more quickly and
effectively.
Another site of this action is the liver, where it
increases the release rate of sugar from your
liver into the bloodstream, as well as
increasing the destruction of toxic materials.
The release of adrenaline comes from
chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla, it can
be increased due to fear, pain, and physical
exercise.

Left: chromaffin cell diagram

Right: The chromaffin cell

enclosing a multitude of
chromaffin vesicles