BA theory

Question 1

Neurotransmitter

Answer 1

a chemical substance produced by a neuron that carries a message to other neurons or cells in muscles, organs or other tissues

Question 2

Excitatory neurotranmsitter

Answer 2

Increases the likelihood of a post synaptic neuron firing by stimulating it e.g. Acetylcholine

Question 3

Inhibatory neurotransmitter

Answer 3

decreses the likelihood of a post syntaptic neuron firing e.g. GABA

Question 4

Agonist

Answer 4

something that creates action or stimulates a receptor (all neurotransmitters)

Question 5

antagonist

Answer 5

something that blocks a neurotransmitter from binding to the receptor site on the post synaptic neuron

Question 6

Acetylcholine

Answer 6

• an excitatory neurotransmitter
• plays a role in the encoding of memories in the hippocampus

Question 7

GABA

Answer 7

inhibatory neurotransmitter
improves mental clarity by inhibating unnecessary neural firing so allows for increased cognitive load

Question 8

Cortisol

Answer 8

provides the energy (long lasting) that drives the fight or flight response
moderate levels of cortisol aid the encoding of memories

Question 9

pheromone

Answer 9

a chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal affecting the behaviour or physiology of other of its own species, animals have the specialised structure called a VNO to process them

Question 10

AND

Answer 10

androstadienone

Question 11

EST

Answer 11

estratetraenol

Question 12

long term potentiation

Answer 12

synapses become stronger through repeated use

Question 13

long term depression

Answer 13

relatively permanent weakening of synaptic connections as a result of repeated low-level activation