Biological Approach - Assumption 3: Neurotransmitters

Question 1

what neurotransmitter and quantity are involved in love

Answer 1

• Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin
• High

Question 2

what neurotransmitter and quantity are involved in happiness

Answer 2

• Serotonin
• high

Question 3

what neurotransmitter and quantity are involved in aggression

Answer 3

• Noradrenaline, adrenaline
• high

Question 4

what neurotransmitter and quantity are involved in schizophrenia

Answer 4

• dopamine
• high

Question 5

what neurotransmitter and quantity are involved in depression

Answer 5

• dopamine, serotonin
• low

Question 6

what neurotransmitter and quantity are involved in anxiety

Answer 6

• dopamine
• low

Question 7

what are neurons

Answer 7

• long thin cells that convey messages from 1 place to another

Question 8

how many neurons does the brain contain

Answer 8

billions

Question 9

what are synapses

Answer 9

Neurons pass messages from one neuron to the next via small gaps between the neurones – synapses

Question 10

what are neurotransmitters

Answer 10

• they are chemical messengers that are passed from the presynaptic neuron to the postsynaptic neuron across the synapse
• electrical signicals need to be converted into neurotransmitters in order to diffuse cross the synapse
• once it binds to receptors on post synaptic membrane it changes back into an electrical signal and the process continues

Question 11

draw a neurone

Question 12

draw a neurotransmitter

Question 13

what is the difference between neurones and neurotransmitters

Answer 13

• neuron is a cell in the body
• neurotransmitter is a chemical compound that a neuron releases which allows neurones to send messages and communicate with other neurones

Question 14

what is the process of synaptic transmission

Answer 14

1. electrical impulse –> dendrites in cell body
2. electrical impulse –> Nucleus –> axon
3. moves down axon (protected by myelin)
4. electrical impulse arrives at axon terminal
5. EI triggers release of neurotransmitters from presynaptic vesicles
6. Neurotransmitter moves from presynaptic ending and is released into synaptic cleft
7. Neurotransmitter binds with the postsynaptic endings receptor sites in the dendrites of the next neurone
8. messengers on postsynaptic ending pass the electrical impulse on the dendrite
9. The EI moves from dendrite to the cell body

Question 15

Answer 15

Question 16

Answer 16

Question 17

What is the example from psychology

Answer 17

Excess levels of dopamine has been identified in the aetiology of schizophrenia

Question 18

Apply the behaviour to formation of romantic relationships

Answer 18

• Aron et al concluded that dopamine plays a role in formation of romantic relationships
• it activates the reward centres of the brain and amplifies the effects of sex hormones when meeting an attractive mate — even at first sight

Question 19

Describe dopamine

Answer 19

• controls bodily movements and emotional responses
• dopamine deficiency is related to mental health conditions such as depression

Question 20

Describe serotonin

Answer 20

• affects both emotions and motor skills
• its the chemical that supports sleeping, eating and digestion