Neurotransmitters

Question 1

Acetylcholine

Answer 1

A neurotransmitter active in both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Preganglionic neuron releases Ach in both systems; postganglionic neuron releases norepinephrine in sympathetic and more Ach in parasympathetic. Generally considered as excitatory signal since it’s linked to attn and arousal in CNS. Produced by choline acetyltransferase

Question 2

GABA and glycine

Answer 2

stabilizes brain activity by causing hyperpolarization of postsynaptic membrane, lets Cl- into the cell to cause hyperpolarization

Question 3

Glutamate

Answer 3

opposite of glycine; excites

Question 4

Endorphins

Answer 4

natural painkillers, PEPTIDE NEUROTRANSMITTERS

Question 5

Seratonin

Answer 5

mood, eat, dream, sleep (“meds”); satiety and inhibition in mesolimbic reward pathway

Question 6

Dopamine

Answer 6

movement and posture; promotes desire in mesolimbic reward pathway

Question 7

Nor/epinephrine

Answer 7

Secreted by adrenal medulla; awake and alertness, fight or flight

Question 8

Examples of catecholamines and their role

Answer 8

seratonin, nor/epinephrine, dopamine; emotion

Question 9

Cause of schizo vs Parkinson’s

Answer 9

too much dopamine vs too little dopamine

Question 10

Antagonist vs agonist

Answer 10

something else opposes the true effect vs something else mimics the true effect

Question 11

3 categories of neurotransmitters and their examples

Answer 11

amino acid neurotransmitters (ex: GABA, glycine; glutamate), monoamine neurotransmitters (ex: serotonin, nor/epinephrine, dopamine) aka catecholamines, peptide neurotransmitters (ex: endorphins)