This gas controls many of the body's major functions, including blood pressure, any vasodilation (esp. A biological gas controlling a seemingly limitless range of functions in the body, a signaling molecule; a chemical compound with the chemical formula NO; a toxic air pollutant produced by cigarette smoke, automobile engines and power plants. Nitric oxide has been demonstrated to play a role in a variety of biological processes including neurotransmission, immune defense, the regulation of cell death and cell motility.

Penile erections), swallowing to defecation. Arginine changes into nitric oxide, the gas.

These enzymes break down the amino acid arginine. Nitric Oxide - From Recreational to Medicinal Nitric oxide's medical definition is summarized as. Breathing, Body Building, and Sex. It is a short-lived, free radical (highly reactive) with a half-life of only a few seconds that is produced from a group of enzymes known as nitric oxide synthases (NOS). It acts as a neurotransmitter between the nerve cells associated with learning, memory, sleeping, feeling pain, and depression.

The immune system uses nitric oxide in fighting viral, bacterial and parasitic infections, and tumors.