Neurotranmission

Using one or more examples, explain effects of neurotransmission on human behavior.


 * What are neurotransmitters? **

Neurotransmitters are chemical messages which help with the communication between neurons.




 * How do neurotransmitters work? **

The brain contains over 100billion neurons, each of which are used to receive information from other neurons through their dendrites. This information is then used to transmit it across the neruon's cell body. These informations are passed by electrical impulses, and when in the cell body they are passed along the axon until it reaches the synaptic terminals of the axon. The information is sent to another neuron once it passes the synapse, the gap between two neurons. In order for communication to occur, there is also a chemical process. This chemical process is based on neurotransmitters. As a neuron passes the neurotransmitter, the receiving neuron may then send or not the message,


 * What are the effects of neurotransmitters? **

Neurotransmitters have a very importante and significant role on behavior, thought and emotion. Different neurotransmitters create diferente reactions:

Acetylcholine (Excitatory neurotransmitter)- Aids/Consolidates memory

Dopamine (Excitatory/Inhibitory neurotransmitter) - Dopamine is known to be linked with pleasure and reward as it activates when something good happens. Dopamine can be related to the addiction of drugs as the pleasure given is what keep the abuser keen to continue using the drug. Dopamine also has a strong affct on the control of body movements. Too little dopamine results in a lack of control whereas the too much dopamine results in twitching, an exemple of this is seen in Parkinson desease.

Serotonin (Inhibitory neurotransmitter) - Serotonin affects mostly mood, anxiety and emotion. Serotonin balances all excitatory behavior keeping it a stable mood. Low levels of serotonina are known to have as a strong result, depression.

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