Topic 2: The Biochemical Explanation

Question 1

What is the function of neurotransmitters?

Answer 1

It is a chemical messenger which transmits signals between neurons which helps to regulate mental processes.

Question 2

What do some psychologists believe about neurotransmitters and mental illnesses?

Answer 2

They believe that mental illnesses are a result of abnormal neurotransmitter levels.

Question 3

What are two explanations of the monamine hypothesis of depression?

Answer 3

1. This hypothesis is the idea that serotonin controls the level of dopamine and noradrenaline. When serotonin levels drop due to stress so does dopamine and noradrenaline which decreases activity and mood.
2. The reduction of monamine levels are due to an enxyme which breaks down neurotransmitters down to reduce the actions they take and information which is passed.

Question 4

What is monamine?

Answer 4

A group of neurotransmitters made up of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.

Question 5

What is the role of dopamine?

Answer 5

Regulates mood

Question 6

What is the role of serotonin?

Answer 6

Controls activity of noradrenaline and dopamine.

Question 7

What is the role of noradrenaline?

Answer 7

Regulates activity levels

Question 8

What is the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia?

Answer 8

It is the belief that schizophrenic people produce more dopamine than neurotypical people.

Question 9

What did they find regarding dopamine and schizophrenia in early research?

Answer 9

They found that excess dopamine in parts of the brain led to schizophrenia symptoms. For example, the part of the brain in control of speech production was covered in extra dopamine and it could give reason for hallucination of voices.

Question 10

What did modern research find about dopamine and schizophrenia?

Answer 10

Low levels of dopamine were found in the pre-frontal cortex which is responsible for thinking and reasoning and could explain incoherent speech and apathy.