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What do neurotransmitters do in the brain?
Transmitting messages from neuron to neuron.
What is dopamine?
A neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, movement, and mood regulation.
What happens to dopamine levels when a person expects or receives a reward?
Dopamine levels increase, resulting in feelings of pleasure and reward.
Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation?
Serotonin.
How do inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA affect neuronal excitability?
They reduce excitability by making it harder for neurons to fire action potentials.
What is the effect of excitatory potentials on a neuron?
They make it more likely for the neuron to fire.
What role does tryptophan play in serotonin production?
It is an essential amino acid needed for the synthesis of serotonin.
What are the effects of low serotonin levels?
They can be associated with depression, anxiety, and changes in mood.
How do psycho-active substances affect the brain?
They cause changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior.
What is the role of endorphins in pain relief?
They block pain signals, acting as inhibitory neurotransmitters.
What is the function of glycine in the nervous system?
It modulates motor and sensory signals primarily in the spinal cord and brainstem.
What is the impact of chronic alcohol use on the brain?
It can shrink brain regions like the hippocampus, leading to memory problems.
What kind of drug is cocaine, and how does it affect dopamine?
Cocaine is a stimulant that blocks the reuptake of dopamine, causing elevated levels.
What physical reactions does the sympathetic nervous system trigger?
Increases heart rate, dilates airways, and mobilizes energy.
What are SSRIs and how do they work?
Medications that treat depression by blocking the reuptake of serotonin.
What condition is characterized by the death of dopamine-producing cells in the brain?
Parkinson's disease.
What effect do endorphins have on mood during high-stress activities?
They are released to calm stress and trigger dopamine release.
How is motor control related to excitatory and inhibitory signals?
It requires a precise balance between these signals to ensure coordinated movement.
What part of the brain produces serotonin?
The raphe nuclei in the brainstem, but most is from enterochromaffin cells in the gut.
How does dopamine affect addiction?
It causes the brain to associate drug use with feelings of reward, motivating repeated use.
Why does a person feel pleasure from learning behaviors that lead to rewards?
Dopamine increases during these processes, reinforcing the behavior.
What is the consequence of inactivity of GABA in the brain?
It can lead to conditions like insomnia.
What is a characteristic of the parasympathetic nervous system?
It promotes 'rest and digest' activities, calming the body.
What is the role of beta-endorphins?
They are involved in producing a feeling of euphoria associated with prolonged physical exertion.
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