Neurotransmitters

Question 1

Acetylcholine

Answer 1

enables muscle action, learning, & memory
■ Possible malfunctions - with Alzheimer’s disease, ACh-producing neurons deteriorate

Question 2

Dopamine

Answer 2

influences movement, learning, attention, & emotion
■ Possible malfunctions - oversupply linked to schizophrenia; undersupply linked to Parkinson’s disease

Question 3

Serotonin

Answer 3

affects mood, hunger, sleep, & arousal
■ Possible malfunctions - undersupply linked to depression (some drugs that raise serotonin levels used
to treat depression)

Question 4

Norepinephrine

Answer 4

helps control alertness & arousal (very similar to adrenaline)
■ Possible malfunctions - oversupply linked to mania in bipolar disorder

Question 5

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)

Answer 5

major inhibitory neurotransmitters (slow down neural transmission) ■ Possible malfunctions - undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, & insomnia

Question 6

Glutamate

Answer 6

major excitatory neurotransmitter (speeds up neural transmission); involved in memory ■ Possible malfunctions - oversupply linked to migraines & seizures

Question 7

Endorphins

Answer 7

influence the perception of pain or pleasure (“morphine-within”)
■ Possible malfunction - oversupply with opioid drugs can suppress the body’s natural endorphin
supply

Question 8

Substance P

Answer 8

involved in pain perception & immune response (sends pain signals)
■ Possible malfunction - oversupply can lead to chronic pain

Question 9

Agonist

Answer 9

chemical that increases a neurotransmitter’s action
■ Cocaine is an agonist for dopamine; opiate drugs (heroin) are agonists for endorphins
■ Some drugs, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that are used to treat
depression, are agonists that also block reuptake
● Causes the neurotransmitter to stay in the synapse longer

Question 10

Antagonist

Answer 10

chemical that inhibits (blocks) a neurotransmitter’s action
■ Botox (botulin) paralyzes muscles & is an antagonist for acetylcholine