Neurotransmitters and neurochemicals

Question 1

what are the parts of the neural pathway

Answer 1

pre-synaptic neuron (axon terminal), neural synapse, synaptic gap, post-synaptic neuron (recpetor site, dendrite)

Question 2

what are the steps/process of the neural pathway

Answer 2

1. The pre-synaptic neurons axon terminals release neurochemicals in the neural synapse 2. the neurotransmitters travel across the synaptic gap 3. the neurotransmitters bind to the specific receptors on the dendrites of the post-synaptic neuron

Question 3

pre-synaptic neuron

Answer 3

the neuron that releases neurochemicals into the neural synapse

Question 4

axon terminals

Answer 4

aka terminal buttons, they are the ends of a neuron that release neurochemicals into the neural synpase

Question 5

synaptic gap

Answer 5

the space between the pre-synaptic neuron and post-synaptic neuron

Question 6

post-synaptic neuron

Answer 6

the neuron that recieves neurocheimcals from the neural synappse

Question 7

dendrites

Answer 7

branched extensions of a neuron where recpetor sites are located

Question 8

recpetor sites

Answer 8

protein molecules on the dendrites of a neuron that recieve neurochemicals

Question 9

neurochemicals

Answer 9

chemical substances that transmit neural information within the nervous system, how neuronsn communicate with one another

Question 10

the steps/process of synaptic transmission

Answer 10

1. neurochemicals are produced in the axon terminals of the pre-synaptic neuron 2. neurochemicals are releassed from the axon terminals of the presynatptic neuron into the synpatic gap 3. neurochemicals bind to specific nreceptor sites on the dendrites of the post-synaptic neuron 4. neurochemicals affect the post-synaptic neuron, either triggering or inhibiting a response

Question 11

what are the two types of neurochemicals

Answer 11

neurotransmitters and neuromodulators

Question 12

neurotransmitters

Answer 12

chemical molecules that have an effect on one or more post-synaptic neuron (localised effect), they enable rapid and short lived communication between two neurons across the neural synapse

Question 13

what are the two categories neurotransmitters

Answer 13

exictatory and inhibitory

Question 14

neuromodulators

Answer 14

chemical molecules that have an effect on multiple postsynapctic neurons (widespread modulatory effects as they can influence karge areas of brain tissue), they modulate neural activity more slowly but produce relatively long lasting effects

Question 15

excitatory neurotransmitters

Answer 15

have an excitatory effect on the postsynaptic neuron, causing it to have a greater liklihood of firing an action potential

Question 16

inhibitory neurotransmitters

Answer 16

have an inhibitory effect on the postsynaptic neuron, causing to have less liklihood of firing an action potential

Question 17

two specific neurotransmitters required to know

Answer 17

Glutamine and GABA

Question 18

Type and effect of glutamine

Answer 18

excitatory neurotransmitter (most abudant) and therefore increases the likelihood of the post-synaptic neuron firing an action potential

Question 19

type and effect of GABA

Answer 19

inhibitory neurotransmitter and therefore decreases the likelihood of the post-synatptic neuron firing an action potential

Question 20

glutamine role in functioning

Answer 20

importnat role in learning and memory , it strengthens synaptic connections between neurons that are repeatdely activated during learning, the strong synaptic connections represent memory of learning, enables synaptic plasticity, important role in thought and movement

Question 21

role in functioning of GABA

Answer 21

prevents overecitation of neurons, reduces anxiety by inhibiting extrectory neural signals that contribute to anxiety, important role in preventing seizures

Question 22

how to neuromodulators modulate the effects of neurotransmitters

Answer 22

1. by changing the responsiveness of receptor sites of a particular neurotransmitter (enhacing excitatory/inhibitory effects) 2. changing the neurotransmitter release pattern of the pre-synaptic neuron

Question 23

what are the neuromodulators that we need to know

Answer 23

Dopamine and serotonin

Question 24

what is the effect of dopamine

Answer 24

dopamine can change excitatory and inhibitory effects on the postsynaptic neuron, the effect of dopamine depends on the type of recpetor sites present at the particular brain location

Question 25

what are the three roles in functioning of dopamine

Answer 25

• coordinating voluntary motor movement
• important role in reward based learning, behaviours that recieve a reward may cause the release of dopamine
• also plays a role in motivation, given its role in reward based learning

Question 26

how does dopamine play a role in motivation

Answer 26

rewarding behaviours that trigger the release of dopamine have a pleasurable consequence for the person and are therefore more likely to be repeated (to experience the pleasure)

Question 27

what is a consequence of dopamine

Answer 27

it can be associated with addiction

Question 28

why is dopamine associated with addiction

Answer 28

addicting behaviours often provide an intensley pleasurable reward to the person, motivating them to repeat the behaviour, whnich consequently contributes to addiction

Question 29

serotonin effect

Answer 29

has inhibitory effects on the postsynaptic neuron

Question 30

three roles in functioning of serotonin

Answer 30

• mood reglation and stablisation
  -regulating the sleep-wake cycle, including the quality and quantity of sleep and feelings or alertness and wakefulness during the day
  -apetite, digestion, arousal and nausea

Question 31

how do apropriate levels of sertonin in the brain affect mood

Answer 31

the person to experience stable and positive moods, promoting wellbeing.

Question 32

how to low levels of serotonin in the brain affect mood

Answer 32

low levels are associated with mental disorders including depression, correlation selationship, low levels doesnt cause depression

Question 33

how do medications relayte to neuromodulators

Answer 33

some medications used to treat depression increase serotonin levels or target serotonin receptors in the brain

Question 34

what is the sleep-wake cycle

Answer 34

the 24 hour period comprising time spent asleep and time spent awake

Question 35

differences in neuromodulates and neurotransmitters

Answer 35

1. neuromodulators bind to multiple post synaptic synapsis whereas neurotransmitters bind to one or two post synaptic neurons 2. neuromodulators effects cause changes in multiple/widespread neurons whereas neurotransmitters directly effects change in the neuron it binds to 3. neuromodulators creates/modulates a slower and longer lasting response whereas a neurotransmitter creates a shorter/rapid response 4. neuromodulators modulate inhibitory or excitatory functions of neurotransmitters whereas neurotransmitters acts in excitatory or inhibitory role

Question 36

similarities between neurotransmitters and neuromodulators

Answer 36

both act as neurochemicals in the nervous system, both bind to speciifc receptor sites on the dendrites of the post synaptic neuron, both can lead to change in mental processes and behaviour