Neurotransmitters & Neuromodulators

Question 1

what are neurotransmitters

Answer 1

a chemical substance produced by a neuron that carry a message to other neurons or cells

Question 2

how do neurotransmitters work

Answer 2

they attach themselves to receptor sites of post synaptic neurons.

Question 3

what are the 2 different effects neurotransmitters can have

Answer 3

excitatory (stimulating neurons to fire)

inhibitory (preventing neurons from firing)

Question 4

what is the main excitatory neurotransmitter

Answer 4

glutamate

Question 5

what does glutamate do and what is it associated with

Answer 5

glutamate enhances information transmission by making postsynaptic neurons more likely to fire.

it is associated with increased learning and memory

Question 6

what is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter

Answer 6

GABA

Question 7

what does gaba do

Answer 7

gaba works throughout the brain to make the postsynaptic neurons less likely to fire

Question 8

how to remember gaba and glutamate

Answer 8

GABA = slow
Glutamate = go

Question 9

what are the 2 neuromodulators

Answer 9

dopamine and serotonin

Question 10

what is dopamine

Answer 10

a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator that is important for balance, movement, pleasure + rewarding behaviours. it can lead to excitatory and inhibitory effects

Question 11

what is serotonin

Answer 11

a neurotransmitter that is important for mood and sleep