Week 3: Types of Neurotransmitters

Question 1

What effects does Acetylcholoine have on the body?

Answer 1

Has both excitatory and inhibitory effects.

• has excitatory role in stimulating neurons involved in learning new information
• has excitatory effects on muscle fibres allowing us to move
• has inhibitory effects on the heart which keeps it from beating too fast

Question 2

What are the four sub-groups of Monoamines? What are their roles?

Answer 2

1. Dopamine (excitatory and inhibitory):
   - motivation and pleasure, fear, movement, concentration, focus, sleep regulation
   - high dopamine causes insomnia
   - ADHD linked to low dopamine levels
   - depression linked to low dopamine
2. Norepinephrine (excitatory)
   - stimulates in-take of carbs
   - alertness, wakefulness
3. Epinephrine (excitatory)
   - compliments norepinephrine by affecting the metabolism of glucose causing it to be released during strenuous exercise
4. Serotonin (inhibitory)
   - mood stabilization
   - sleep, impulsivity, mood, aggression and appetite

Question 3

What effects do endorphines have on the body?

Answer 3

reduce pain and affect mood positively (e.g. opioids)

Question 4

What two amino acids also serve as neurotransmitters and what are their functions?

Answer 4

1. Glutamate (glutamic acid):
   - primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain
   - active in parts of brain that are involved in learning, thought and emotions
2. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
   - primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and is distributed widely throughout the central nervous system
   - facilitates the control of anxiety in humans