#2 u3aos1 - neurotransmitters and neuromodulators (ch3b)

Question 1

neurotransmitters
3 marks

Answer 1

chemical signals produced by neurons
neurons carry messages to other neurons or cells within the nervous system

Question 2

two types of neurotransmitters
2 marks

Answer 2

GABA
glutamate

Question 3

characteristics of neurotransmitters
3 marks

Answer 3

• release chemical signals into a single synapse
• influence is exerted rapidly
• effects last a short amount of time

Question 4

synapse
2 marks

Answer 4

the point of communication between two neurons.
where transmission occurs

Question 5

three parts of synapse
3 marks

Answer 5

axon terminal (pre-synaptic neuron)
synaptic gap/cleft
dendrite (post-synaptic neuron)

Question 6

presynaptic neuron

Answer 6

the neuron sending the message

Question 7

postsynaptic neuron

Answer 7

the neuron receiving the message

Question 8

steps of how neurotransmittors are passed down
6 marks

Answer 8

1. neurons are excited by sensory stimuli/neurotransmitters from other cells.
2. action potential impulse travels along the axon terminal of the pre-synaptic neuron. (ELECTRIC IMPULSE)
3. synaptic vesicles in the axon terminal release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft/gap. (TRANSMISSION = CHEMICAL PROCESS)
4. neurotransmitters travel along the gap and bind with receptor sites + dendrites in the post-synaptic neuron.
5. 2 possible results can occur:
   
   • action potential is increased
   • action potential is decreased

Question 9

action-potential
2 marks

Answer 9

an electrical signal that excites the presynaptic neuron
helps a neuron pass down information to the axon.

Question 10

diffusion
2 marks

Answer 10

a process where neurotransmitters drift away from the neurons instead of being passed down.

Question 11

reuptake
2 marks

Answer 11

a process where the neurotransmitters drifting away get sucked back into the pre-synaptic neuron, back into its vesicles.

Question 12

Excitatory effect
1 mark

Answer 12

The likelihood of post-synaptic neuron firing an action potential is increased.

Question 13

Inhibitory effect
1 mark

Answer 13

The likelihood of post-synaptic neuron firing an action potential is decreased.

Question 14

example of an excitatory neurotransmitter
1 mark

Answer 14

glutamate

Question 15

example of an inhibitory neurotransmittor
1 mark

Answer 15

GABA

Question 16

glutamate
2 marks

Answer 16

the main excitatory neurotransmitter
involved in learning and memory

Question 17

characteristics of glutamate
4 marks

Answer 17

• increases activity of post-synaptic neurons, making them more likely to fire an action potential.
• release of glutamate causes changes in synapse associated with leanring and memory

Question 18

GABA (gamma-aminobutryic acid)
2 marks

Answer 18

the main inihibtory neurotransmitter in the nervous system
associated with anxiety, specific phobias, and Parkinson’s disease

Question 19

characteristics of GABA
4 marks

Answer 19

• decreases acitivty of the post-synaptic neuron, making them less likely to fire an action potential
• release of GABA has a calming effect on the nervous system (balances out the effects of glutamate’s excitatory response)

Question 20

neuromodulators
2 marks

Answer 20

• a subclass of neurotransmitters
• regulates + influences the rate or strength of neural transmission.

Question 21

the literal role of neuromodulators, how do they do their job?
4 marks.

Answer 21

• they increase the responsiveness of neurons, enhancing the excitatory effect.
• they decrease the responsiveness of neurons, enhancing the inhibtory effect.

Question 22

2 types of neuromodulators

Answer 22

dopamine
serotonin

Question 23

characteristics of neuromodulators
3 marks

Answer 23

• release chemical signals into broader areas (multiple synapse + neurons, brain area, entire neural tissue)
• influence is exerted over a slower period of time.
• effects are long-lasting

Question 24

dopamine
3 marks

Answer 24

a multifunctional chemical in the nervous system consisting of inhibtory and excitatory effects depending on the situation.

Question 25

what functions does dopamine control? 6 marks

Answer 25

- voluntary movement - attention - pleasure - mood - cognition - rewards-based learning (motivation)

Question 26

characteristics of dopamine 3 marks

Answer 26

- regulates and influences neural activity in regions of the brai associated with the functions. - involved with pleasure, but doens't directly cause it. It influences you to pursue behaviours/make decisions that you believe will lead to pleasure.

Question 27

reward pathway 2 marks

Answer 27

a group of strucutres in the brain that are activated by rewarding stimuli.

Question 28

how the reward pathway functions 7 marks

Answer 28

- when you are exposed to stimulus which is rewarding the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain responds by releasing more dopamine - dopamine is transported along the rewards pathway to other parts of the brain such as prefrontal cortex. - more dopamine released = more the stimulus is perceived as being rewarding. - motivation to increase the behaviour associated with the reward has increased.

Question 29

examples of unhealthy + addictive behaviours of dopamine 6 marks

Answer 29

- over-eating - smoking - addiction to drugs - excessive smartphone use - gambling - gaming

Question 30

dopamine's role in addiction (steps) 4 marks

Answer 30

1. unhealthy behaviours are introduced. 2. increased dopamine is relased through the rewards pathway. 3. overtime, the brain becomes less sensetive to dopamine. 4. urge to repeat behaviour is increased.

Question 31

serotonin 2 marks

Answer 31

acts as an inhibitory neuromodulator, influencing varieties of behaviours.

Question 32

what functions does serotonin control? 6 marks

Answer 32

- mood - sleep - memory - impulsivity - anger + aggression - appetite

Question 33

effect of serotonin on mood (both) 2 marks

Answer 33

high levels: results to feeling good and stable mood low levels: results to mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Question 34

effect of serotonin on sleep (low levels) 2 marks

Answer 34

low levels: leads to a reduction in sleep pressure which results in restlessness and wakefullness

Question 35

4 ways to boost serotonin levels

Answer 35

- eat foods like banana/cashew nuts - consume enough vitamin D, magnesium, and omega 3 - exercise for atlet 30 mins a day - avoid alcohol + nicotine

Question 36

amygdala 2 marks

Answer 36

an almond-shaped region in the brain associated with emotional responses.

Question 37

the effect of low levels of serotonin on the amygdala 2 marks

Answer 37

low levels of serotonin makes it difficult for the frontal region of the cerebral cortex to regulate emotional responses of the amygdala, resulting in aggressive behaviours.