Question

Which of the following is an amino acid derived hormone?
(a) Estradiol
(b) Epinephrine
(c) Estriol
(d) Ecdysone

Answer 1

Hint: A hormone which is also known as adrenaline, and is used as a medicine to treat a number of conditions, such as asthma, cardiac arrest etc.

Complete step by step solution:
> Epinephrine has amino acid groups in it. Some of the amino acid groups of epinephrine are derived from tyrosine amino acids by removal of the carboxylic group. This is called catecholamine. It is also known as adrenaline. It has many medical applications.
> Estradiol, also known as oestradiol, is nothing but estrogen steroid hormone. It consists of 2 hydroxyl groups and thus it is called estradiol. It is derived from cholesterol. It is mainly produced in parts of the female reproductive system; that is in the follicles of ovaries. It is important for the development and maintenance of female reproductive tissues.
> Estriol is actually a weak estrogen, also a steroid and a minor female sex hormone. I consist of three hydroxyl groups. It is also used as medication for menopausal hormone therapy.
- Estriol is derived from a hydroxylated form of estradiol. In non pregnant women its quantity is very less, but in pregnant women its quantity is high.
> Ecdysone is a steroidal prohormone secreted from the prothoracic glands of an insect. It is an insect molting hormone. It is also seen in plants as a protection agent against herbivorous insects. It has medicinal values too.
Thus, we can conclude that the amino acid derived hormone is epinephrine and the correct answer is option (b).

Note: Epinephrine contains tyrosine amino acid. All the other options given in the question do not have an amino acid group in them.