SAQ Biological (inhibitory synapses)

Potential Q

Describe one study that demonstrates the role of inhibitory synapses in the study of human behaviour.

Where are neurotransmitters released from?

the terminal buttons of a neuron and then travel across a synapse where they attach to receptor sites on the postsynaptic membrane.

What are inhibitory synapses?

Neurotransmitters that make a target neuron less likely to fire an action potential if it binds to the inhibitory receptor.

What is serotonin?

an inhibitory neurotransmitter regulating mood, sleep, and aggression, often linked to depression and impulsive behavior when levels are low

What was the aim of kasamatu and hirai?

To investigate the role of serotonin in terms of sensory deprivation.

What was the design?

Field experiment

What was the method?

The group of monks went on a religious pilgrimage and were exposed to harsh weather conditions and the monks didn’t eat or drink or speak

What were the results?

After 48hrs the monks reported hallucinations and researchers took blood samples before and after the monks went up the mountain

-there were higher levels of serotonin in the blood of the monks after the pilgrimage than before.

What’s the conclusion?

Inhibitory neurotransmitters can change in response to the environment and can influence behaviour however we can’t pinpoint cause an effect in this study due to external factors not being eliminated.