Neurons & Neurotransmitters

Question 1

What are neurotransmitters

Answer 1

Neurotransmitter is a chemical substance produced by a neuron that carries a message

Question 2

Parts of the synaptic gap

Answer 2

Pre synaptic neuron
Synapse
Post synaptic dendrites

Question 3

Types of neurotransmitters

Answer 3

Inhibitory – stabilises, balances & calms the body EG: GABA. Inhibits neural transmission & calms NS. Makes the neurons less likely to fire
Without it post-synaptic activity can get out of control causing seizures
Anxiety & phobia is linked to low levels of GABA

Excitatory – excites & energises the body. EG: Glutamate. Encourages neural transmission & excites NS. Makes the neurons more likely to fire
Involved in learning, memory and movement

Question 4

Neuromodulators

Answer 4

They can change the reactivity of receptors of another type of neurotransmitter to enhance their excitatory or inhibitory effects
Neuromodulators do not release their chemical messengers into a single synapse. Instead, they are released into far broader areas, where they can affect a large number of neurons at once, as many as 100000 or more. Consequently, an entire neural tissue, brain area, pathway or multiple pathways may be influenced by exposure to a neuromodulator’s action.
Neuromodulators also exert their influence over a slower time period than excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters at synapses with fast-acting receptors. Their effects take longer to become established and last longer