Neurotransmitters
Definition
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron (nerve cell) to another 'target' neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.
Analogy
Think of neurotransmitters like mail carriers. They deliver messages (signals) from one house (neuron) to another house (another neuron or target cell). Just like how the mail carrier has to drop off the mail in the mailbox for it to be received, neurotransmitters have to bind with specific receptors on the receiving neuron for the message to be understood.
Related terms
Acetylcholine: This is a type of neurotransmitter that plays a key role in muscle contraction and heart rate regulation. It's also involved in memory formation and learning.
Dopamine: Another type of neurotransmitter that's associated with pleasure and reward. It's often linked with addiction because drugs can increase its levels in the brain.
Serotonin: This is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, appetite, sleep, and some cognitive functions including memory and learning.
"Neurotransmitters" appears in:
Study guides (5)
AP Psychology - 2.3 Overview of the Nervous System and the Neuron
AP Psychology - 2.4 Neural Firing
AP Psychology - 5.6 Biological Bases of Memory
AP Psychology - 8.4 Bipolar, Depressive, Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
AP Psychology - 8.6 Feeding and Eating, Substance and Addictive, and Personality Disorders
Practice Questions (16)
- What is the process by which neurons release chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons, which can be used to transmit signals throughout the brain?
- What unit does previous concepts such as psychological approaches and neurotransmitters apply to?
- Which component of a neuron releases neurotransmitters into synapse?
- What change has there been in our understanding about neurotransmitters' roles in human psychology?
- What initiates the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap during neural firing?
- What triggers the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap?
- Why are neurotransmitters crucial for neural communication?
- Which process involves the neuron releasing neurotransmitters into the synapse?
- What argues most effectively for the integral role of neurotransmitters in neural firing?
- What do neurotransmitters communicate across?
- Which of the following milestones significantly advanced our understanding of brain chemistry and neurotransmitters?
- What experimental method would best evaluate how neurotransmitters affect emotions at a cellular level?
- What effect do neurotransmitters have on creating and retrieving memories?
- Which unconventional view contradicts popular theories about neurotransmitters' role in memory processes?
- Which perspective would most likely attribute a child's aggressive behavior to an imbalance of neurotransmitters?
- Which of these neurotransmitters is usually implicated in schizophrenia?
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.