Neurotransmitters and their Functions

Question 1

Enables muscle action, learning, and memory

Answer 1

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Question 2

Influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

Answer 2

Dopamine

Question 2

Helps control alertness and arousal

Answer 2

Norepinephrine

Question 3

Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

Answer 3

Serotonin

Question 3

A major excitatory neurotransmitter

Involved in memory

Answer 3

Glutamate

Question 3

A major inhibitory neurotransmitter

Answer 3

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

Question 4

Undersupply of ACh

Answer 4

Alzheimer’s Disease

Question 5

Undersupply of Norepinephrine

Answer 5

Can depress mood

Question 5

Excess dopamine receptor activity linked to

Starved of dopamine

Answer 5

Excess = Schizophrenia

Undersupply = brain produces tremors and decreased mobility of Parkinson’s Disease

Question 5

Undersupply of serotonin

Prozac and some other antidepressant drugs raise serotonin levels

Answer 5

Depression

Question 6

Undersupply of GABA

Answer 6

Seizures, tremors, and insomnia

Question 6

Oversupply of Glutamate

Answer 6

Overstimulate brain, producing migraines or seizures (which is why some people avoid MSG, monosodium glutamate, in food)