Some of the naturally occurring amines include alkaloids found in certain plants; catecholamine neurotransmitters (i.e., dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine); and a specific chemical mediator, histamine, existing in most animal tissues. Common examples of amines include amino acids, trimethylamine, and aniline.
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Amines are organic compounds derived from ammonia (NH₃) by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups. They contain a nitrogen atom bonded to carbon or hydrogen atoms. Examples include primary amines (R-NH₂), secondary amines (R₂-NH), and tertiary amines (R₃-N), where R represents an organic group. In biological compounds, amines are prevalent. For instance, amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, contain amine groups. Neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, crucial for nerve signaling, are amines. Alkaloids such as caffeine and nicotine also feature amine structures in various natural sources.