(3) Unit 1 - Biological Assumption Three - Neurotransmitters

What are neurons?

Nerve cells that transmit electrical signals throughout the body.

What are the three basic roles of neurons?

Receive information, determine whether the information should be passed on and send information to muscles, glands or other organs.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemical messengers that pass signals from the presynaptic neuron (the one sending the message) to the postsynaptic neuron (the one receiving the message) across the synapse. Dendrites receive the neurotransmitter which travels down the axon into the axon terminals which then release into the synapse.

What do neurotransmitters do?

Carry electrical signals which change into chemical signals in order to cross the synapse. Once they have reached the postsynaptic neuron, the neurotransmitter is absorbed; the result of which changes the chemical signal back into an electrical one. The process then continues.

What are some examples of neurotransmitters?

Dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline.

What is the function of dopamine?

Control over bodily movements and emotional responses. It affects essential brain functions that impact on mood, sleep, memory and learning. Dopamine is associated with pleasure-seeking and reward-driven behaviour, but dopamine imbalance is related to mental health conditions such as schizophrenia.

What is the function of serotonin?

Has an impact on most of the body, affecting both emotions and motor skills. Serotonin is the chemical that supports sleeping, eating and digestion.

What is the function of noradrenaline?

Plays a role in the fight-or-flight response and provides sudden energy during stress.

How does Cacioppo’s (2012) study support the assumption that behaviour is a result of neurotransmitters?

Cacioppo (2012) determined the roots of mate attraction by scanning male participants in a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) machine whilst they viewed pictures of women. The images ranged from unattractive to attractive. Results showed that the male brain released dopamine when shown pictures of attractive women; however, when being shown pictures of unattractive women, the male brain failed to release any dopamine. This shows that neurotransmitters control the way in which we behave, particularly in terms of attraction.