Evolution of Serotonin: Biosynthesis, Presence, Receptors, & Functions (Azmitia, 2009, Pt 3)

Описание: I. The Ancient Origins of Serotonin
Serotonin is involved in many central biological systems.
It is a phylogenetically ancient chemical.
It evolved nearly 3 billion years ago.
Its history begins with unicellular organisms.
It is made from the amino acid tryptophan.
Tryptophan absorbs light energy.
Early life used it for photosynthesis.
Serotonin synthesis requires oxygen.
Ancient biosynthetic pathways are highly conserved.
It functions as a powerful antioxidant in cells.

II. Serotonin In Plants & Animals
Plants have very high levels of serotonin.
Levels in plants can exceed animal brains by 100-fold.
It helps plants track sunlight and grow.
Animals cannot make their own tryptophan.
Animals must obtain tryptophan from their diet.
Animals developed mechanisms to conserve it.
It acts as a homeostatic regulator.
It integrates the mind and body with the world.
It is found in nearly every organ of the body.
Specific carrier proteins transport it in blood.

III. Brain Development & Function
Serotonin aids in neurogenesis and maturation.
It appears early in embryonic development.
It influences neuronal morphology and connectivity.
It acts as a trophic factor for brain cells.
Serotonin fibers work like a drip irrigation system.
They release the chemical throughout the brain.
This system supports brain structure and function.
Glial cells help distribute tryptophan to neurons.
Receptors appear before neurons in evolution.
It regulates sleep and mood in humans.

IV. Sunlight, Depression, & Suicide
Low serotonin is linked to depression and suicide.
Sunlight has a direct effect on serotonin levels.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is tied to low light.
Blue light helps treat seasonal depression.
Light therapy mimics natural sunlight benefits.
This improves mood and social interaction.
Sunlight may be a key to mental homeostasis.
Suicide attempters often have low serotonin.
Serotonin connects our biology to the sun.
Light therapy can improve quality of life.

V. Additional Resource Support
See NourishED RFI's NotebookLM Resource Support Page.
https://notebooklm.google.com/noteboo...

VI. Source
Azmitia, E. C. (2009). Evolution of Serotonin: Sunlight to Suicide. In C. Muller & B. Jacobs (Eds.), Handbook of Behavioral Neurobiology of Serotonin (pp. 3-22). Elsevier Inc.

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