Chapter 3B Flashcards
what are neurotransmitters
chemicals that are produced by the neurons that carry messages to other neurons or cells within the nervous system.
what is the process of a neural transmission
action potential reaches the axon terminals of the pre synaptic neuron.
vesicles then release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.
they then bind onto receptor sites on the dendrites of the post-synaptic neuron.
the neurotransmitter than makes the post-synaptic neuron less or more likely to fire
what is a excitatory neurotransmitter and an example
make the post-synaptic neuron more likely to fire an action potential or neural impulse.
e.g. glutamate
what is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and an example
makes the post-synaptic neuron less likely to fire an action potential or neural impulse
e.g. GABA
what is glutamate
the main excitatory neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory
what is GABA
the main inhibitory neurotransmitter without it the activation of post-synaptic neurons might get out of control leading to seizures
what is a neuromodulater
a sub class of neurotransmitters that alter the strength of neural transmission, by increasing or decreasing the responsiveness of neurons to neurotransmitter signals
what is dopamine
a multifunctional neuromodulator which has both excitatory and inhibitory effects that is involved in many CNS functions. such as pleasure, movement, attention, mood, cognition and motivation.
what areas of the brain does dopamine affect
what is serotonin
an inhibitory neurotransmitter that also acts as a neuromodulator, influencing a variety of brain activity.
what is the role of serotonin
modulating virtually all human behavioral processes such as mood, perception, anger, memory and attention
what areas of the brain does serotonin reach
almost all areas of cerebrum including the cerebral cortex
