Dopamine

Dopamine is a neuromodulatory molecule that plays several important roles in cells. It is an organic chemical of the catecholamine and phenethylamine families. It is an amine synthesized by removing a carboxyl group through decarboxylation from a molecule of its precursor chemical, L-DOPA, which is synthesized in the brain and kidneys.

Dopamine is also synthesized in plants and most animals.
In the brain, dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter—a chemical released by neurons to send signals to other nerve cells.
The brain includes several distinct dopamine pathways, one of which plays a major role in the motivational component of reward-motivated behavior.

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Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · CC0

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