Chemical Messengers

Question 1

GABA

Answer 1

Chief inhibitory neurotransmitter

Reduces neuronal excitability in NS

Question 2

Dopamine

Answer 2

Neurotransmitter AND hormone
Responsible for reward and motor control
Excitatory and inhibitory
Schizophrenia patients have too much

Question 3

Acetylcholine

Answer 3

Activated muscles
Both excitatory and inhibitory
Alzheimer’s patients have deficiencies in acetylcholine

Question 4

Norepinephrine

Answer 4

Excitatory
Both hormone AND neurotransmitter
Low when stress and insomnia are chronic
High in people with ADHD

Question 5

Thyroid gland

Answer 5

Affects metabolism

Question 6

Parathyroid

Answer 6

Helps regulate blood sugar

Question 7

Pancreas

Answer 7

Regulated levels of sugar in blood

Question 8

Adrenaline

Answer 8

Inner part helps trigger fight or flight response

Question 9

Testes and ovaries

Answer 9

Secrete sex hormones

Question 10

Pituitary gland

Answer 10

Most influential — master gland
Secretes oxytocin —plays role in social bonding and sexual reproduction
Responsible for growth
In the hypothalamus

Question 11

Glutamate

Answer 11

Excitatory
Plays role in learning and memory
Too much leads to seizures
Too little leads to psychosis, coma, and death