Neurotransmission

Question 1

what is neurotransmission

Answer 1

Neurons send electrochemical messages to the brain so that the body can respond to stimuli, either from the environment or from internal changes in the body. This process is called neurotransmission.

Question 2

what is an action potential

Answer 2

An electrical impulse travels along the body of the neuron called an action potential
When an action potential travels down the body of the neuron, it releases neurotransmitters that are stored in the neuron’s. Neurons are released into the synapse
After crossing the synapse, they bind to receptor sites on the postsynaptic membrane

Question 3

what is reuptake

Answer 3

Once the message is passed on, the neurotransmitters get broken down by an enzyme or reabsorbed by the terminal buttons, in a process called reuptake

Question 4

excitatory neurtransmitters

Answer 4

allow the impulse to cross the synapse.
Produce stimulating effects on the brain
Increase the likelihood of a neuron firing by depolarising the neuron
Eg Acetylcholine

Question 5

agonists

Answer 5

Agonists (ACh)
Chemicals that enhance the action of a neurotransmitter
Amplify the effects
Any chemical that causes receptor sites to lead to the firing of a neuron
All neurotransmitters are agonists for receptor sites

Question 6

antagonist

Answer 6

Antagonists
Chemicals that counteract the neurotransmitter and so prevent a signal from being passed further
Reduce the effects
Any chemical that blocks the receptor site and doesn’t allow the neurotransmitter to do its job
Scopolamine is a chemical that acts as an antagonists for ACh

Question 7

ACh

Answer 7

Acetylcholine
Excitatory neurotransmitter
Important for the acquisition, encoding, and consolidation of memory
ACh receptors are found widely throughout the body
High concentration of ACh receptors in the hippocampus

Question 8

Critical thinking

Answer 8

• Research supports the role of Ach on memory and has real-life applications. The importance of ACh on memory is highlighted by the fact that the specific degeneration of the neurons taht have ACh receptors takes place in Alzheimer’s disease. 90% loss of ACh in the brains of individulas suffering from AD.
• On ekey problem is that research is done indirectly . We cannot measure the levels of NT in the brain during behaviour (agression, memory, sexual arousal)
• One of the key strengths of NT tehories is that they have led to successful treatments for certain behaviours
• There is experimental research taht supports the role of NT in behaviour that establish reliability
• Research on humans in coorelational in nature. We cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship
• The argument that NT are the cause of behaviour is reductionist.