Class 4

Question 1

Neurotransmitters

Answer 1

Chemicals that are released to produce an inhibitory or excitatory effect on the neuron
Ex: norepinephrine, acetylcholine, dopamine, histamine & serotonin

Question 2

Neurohormone

Answer 2

Hormone is released from a neurosecretory neuron & travels through blood stream to reach target cell. Ex: ADH, GnRH, TRH

Question 3

Neuropeptides

Answer 3

Peptides are used instead of chemicals to communicate between neurons. Ex: GABA –> somatostatin, Norepinephrine –> enkephalin

Question 4

Cytokines

Answer 4

are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by numerous cells and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication. Ex: interleukins, tumor necrosis factors

Question 5

Interconnections of the nervous, endocrine & immune systems

Answer 5

Occur via biochemical messengers such as neurotransmitters, hormones, cytokines…
Chemical compounds bind with receptors on target cells to elicit a response

Question 6

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis

Answer 6

Negative feedback loop
Hypothalamus -> corticotropin releasing hormone -> anterior pituitary -> adrenocorticotropic hormone -> Adrenal cortex -> cortisol (negative feedback to hypothalamus & anterior pituitary)

Question 7

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis

Answer 7

Stimulation of T3 & T4 to create the thyroid hormone

Question 8

Frontal Lobe

Answer 8

Insight, judgment, problem-solving & personality

Question 9

Basal Ganglia

Answer 9

Involved in motor function & programming behaviour thats automatic, OCD is thought to be associated with this area

Question 10

Hypothalamus

Answer 10

Controls ANS functions, sleep, body temp, hunger, sex & emotion expression 
Produces neurohormones (ADH, oxytocin & histamine)

Question 11

Hippocampus

Answer 11

Associated with memory, & Alzheimer’s

Question 12

Thalamus

Answer 12

Cortical functions & behaviours, it filters information coming into the cortex

Question 13

Pituitary

Answer 13

Regulator of the endocrine system with the hypothalamus.

Controls visceral function, hunger, thirst, BP & body temp.

Question 14

Amygdala

Answer 14

Connect with hypothalamus, associated with imulsive acts of aggression & violence & bi-polar disorders

Question 15

Limbic Midbrain Nuclei

Answer 15

produces neurochemicals to reinforce behaviours that ensure survival of human species (Hunger, sex, nurturing)

Question 16

Extrapyramidal Motor System

Answer 16

modulates smooth coordinated movement & reflexes

Dopamine producing cells (area thats affected with Parkinson’s)

Question 17

Pineal Body

Answer 17

Produces melatonin (neuropeptide) to modify immune function
Modulates sleep cycles & circardian rhythms

Question 18

Brain stem

Answer 18

Produces serotonin

Question 19

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 19

Sympathetic (fight or flight) & parasympathetic (rest & digest)

Question 20

Cholinergic Neurotransmitters

Answer 20

Acetylcholine
Excitatory, Parasympathetic Nervous System
Projects through cerebral cortex & limbic system
Involved in higher intellectual function & memory
Lack of this neurotransmitter is associated with Alzheimers & Down’s Syndrome

Question 21

Biogenic Amines

Answer 21

Dopamine
(Nor)epinephrine
Serotonin
Histamine

Question 22

Dopamine

Answer 22

Excitatory
Involved in cognitive, motor & neuroendocrine functions & reward pathway
Schizophrenia (increase)
Parkinsons (decrease)
Blockage of dopamine receptors results in extrapyramidal effects & weight gain

Question 23

(Nor)epinephrine

Answer 23

Excitatory
Sympathetic Nervous system
Major role in generating and maintaining mood states
Involved in some endocrine function & can inhibit immune response
Decreased [ ]= depression
Increased [ ] = manic states, & anxiety disorders

Question 24

Serotonin

Answer 24

Excitatory
Role in emotions, cognition, sensory perceptions, sleep, food, pain, temp & cardiovascular regulation
Depression & insomnia = decreased serotonin levels

Question 25

Histamine

Answer 25

Autonomic and neuroendocrine regulation, blockage results in sedation, weight gain & hypotension.
Involved in inflammatory response

Question 26

Amino Acids

Answer 26

Glutamate (excitatory)

Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) (inhibitory), dysfunction is associate with anxiety and seizures

Question 27

Neuropeptides

Answer 27

Endorphins (opioid) & enkaphalins (both act on endocrine funciton and pain suppression)
Somatostatin & Substance P (non-opioid play a role in pain transmission & endocrine function)

Question 28

Depression

Answer 28

Bipolar: high energy & depressed cycles
Unipolar: just depression (more common in women)
Due to decreased norepinephrine & epinephrine & decreased activity in prefrontal area

Question 29

Severe Mood Changes

Answer 29

Caused by high levels of glucocorticoids like cortisol
May be link between stressful life events & development of depressive & mental illnesses
Ex: Cushings disease (depressed & decreased memory)

Question 30

HPA axis & Immune Response

Answer 30

Cytokines produced by immune system cells are stimulated by ACTH & cortisol secretion, whilst glucocorticoids suppress cytokines
Immune dysregulation can cause psychiatric disorders