Psychology
Neurotransmitters assignment
Select 1 of the neurotransmitters from Table 2.1, “Neurotransmitters,” in Ch. 2 of your textbook and describe that neurotransmitter’s role in behavior. As an example, serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in emotion, sleep, and appetite regulation. Because of its role in regulating emotions, it is sometimes referred to as the “happy” neurotransmitter. Readings below,
If you had to communicate with someone without sight or sound, what would you do? Chances are, your first choice would be a touch code or a system of electrical impulses. You might not even think of passing chemicals back and forth. Chemicals are, however, the main way your neurons communicate. They communicate by transmitting chemicals at specialized junctions called synapses.Chapter OutlineModule 2.1The Concept of the SynapseProperties of SynapsesRelationship among EPSP, IPSP, and Action PotentialsIn Closing: The Neuron as Decision MakerModule 2.2Chemical Events at the SynapseThe Discovery of Chemical Transmission at SynapsesThe Sequence of Chemical Events at a SynapseHormonesIn Closing: Neurotransmitters and BehaviorLearning ObjectivesAfter studying this chapter, you should be able to:1. Describe how Charles Sherrington used behavioral observations to infer the major properties of synapses.2. Relate the activities at a synapse to the probability of an action potential.3. List and explain the sequence of events at a synapse, from synthesis of neurotransmitters, through stimulation of receptors, to the disposition of the transm itter molecules.4. Discuss how certain drugs affect behavior by altering events at synapses.5. Contrast neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and hormones.Module 2.1The Concept of the SynapseIn the late 1800s, Ramón y Cajal anatomically demonstrated a narrow gap separating one neuron from another. In 1906, Charles Scott Sherrington physiologically demonstrated that communication between one neuron and the next differs from communication along a single axon. He inferred a specialized gap between neurons and introduced the term synapse to describe it. Cajal and Sherrington are regarded as the great pioneers of modern neuroscience, and their nearly simultaneous discoveries supported each other: If communication between neurons is special in some way, then there can be no doubt that neurons are anatomically separate from one another. Sherrington’s discovery was an amazing feat of scientific reasoning, as he used behavioral observations to infer the major properties of synapses half a century before researchers had the technology to measure those properties directly.Properties of SynapsesSherrington studied reflexes, automatic muscular responses to stimuli. In a leg flexion reflex, a sensory neuron excites a second neuron, which in turn excites a motor neuron, which excites a muscle, as in Figure 2.1. The circuit from sensory neuron to muscle response is called a reflex arc. If one neuron is separate from another, as Cajal had demonstrated, a reflex must require communication between neurons, and therefore, measurements of reflexes might reveal some of the special properties of that communication. Sherrington strapped a dog into a harness above the ground and pinched one of the dog’s feet. After a fraction of a second, the dog flexed (raised) the pinched leg and extended the other legs. Sherrington found the same reflexive movements after he made a cut that disconnected the spinal cord from the brain. Evidently, the spinal cord controlled the flexion and extension reflexes. In fact, the movements were more consistent after he separated the spinal cord from the brain. In an intact animal, messages descending from the brain modify the reflexe © Cengage
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter through dopamine from the nerve cells in the near the spinal cord and brainstem region of the brain. It is part of the sympathetic nervous system which is the body’s crisis response structure to danger. Norepinephrine is used in maintaining and increasing blood pressure to the required limit while eliminating short severe health conditions (Saboory, Ghasemi and Mehranfard, 2020). As a neurotransmitter it plays a major role as a chemical messenger which enables transmitting nerve signals through the nerve endings to a muscle cell, nerve cell or gland cell. Norepinephrine increases attention, arousal and alertness, constricting the blood vessels which helps in maintaining blood pressure when in distress. The neurotransmitter also affects memory, mood and sleep wake cycle.
Neurotransmitters are important in balancing and boosting signals in the brain and ensuring the brain is functioning (Saboory, Ghasemi and Mehranfard, 2020). Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in changing behavior. When norepinephrine levels are low, people tend to be more passive and less likely to take action. Relatively, when norepinephrine levels are high, individuals tend to be more active and more likely to take action. This is why norepinephrine is often referred to as the “fight or flight” hormone.
Norepinephrine is also involved in attention and focus. When norepinephrine levels are low, people tend to be more distractible and less able to focus. Relatively, when norepinephrine levels are high, individuals tend to be more focused and less distractible. This is why norepinephrine is often referred to as the “attention hormone.” Norepinephrine is also involved in memory and learning. When norepinephrine levels are low, people tend to have difficulty remembering things. Noradrenaline influences behavior of individuals such as attention, reward, motivation, modulation of vigilance, memory and learning.
In summation, norepinephrine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the body’s stress response. When the body is under stress, norepinephrine is released into the bloodstream, which leads to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Norepinephrine also increases alertness and energy levels.
Neurotransmitters assignment: References
Saboory, E., Ghasemi, M., & Mehranfard, N. (2020). Norepinephrine, neurodevelopment and behavior. Neurochemistry international, 135, 104706.
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