Neurotransmitters And Hormones

Question 1

What Are Neurotransmitters?

Answer 1

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain. They pass signals between nerve cells (neurons).

Question 2

Serotonin

Answer 2

• Serotonin helps calm the brain. It’s linked to mood regulation, sleep, and emotional control.
• Low levels of serotonin are linked to more aggression. That’s because there’s less control over emotional reactions (especially in the amygdala).

Question 3

Dopamine

Answer 3

Dopamine is linked to pleasure and reward.
• Some research shows high dopamine may reinforce aggressive behavior if aggression leads to a rewarding feeling (e.g., dominance, success).
• But dopamine’s link to aggression is less clear than serotonin’s.

Question 4

Virkkunen et al and serotonin

Answer 4

Virkkunen et al. (1994) found that violent offenders had lower levels of serotonin.

Question 5

Testosterone (Hormone Recap)d

Answer 5

• Testosterone is a hormone, not a neurotransmitter.
• Produced mainly in the testes (and in smaller amounts in females), it’s linked to dominance and aggression.
• High levels = more competitive, dominant, and sometimes aggressive behavior.

Question 6

How Neurotransmitters Work

Answer 6

1. Neurons (nerve cells) send electrical signals.
   
   2. When the signal reaches the end of a neuron (called the axon terminal), it triggers the release of neurotransmitters.
   3. These chemical messengers cross a tiny gap called the synapse.
   4. They bind to receptors on the next neuron’s surface.
   5. This starts a new signal in the next neuron.

After the message is sent, neurotransmitters are either:
• Broken down by enzymes, or
• Reabsorbed back into the original neuron (reuptake

Question 7

Neuron

Answer 7

A nerve cell that sends electrical signals

Question 8

Reuptake

Answer 8

The process of taking the neurotransmitter back into the original neuron

Question 9

Enzyme breakdown

Answer 9

When enzymes remove neurotransmitters after the message is sent

Question 10

What is hormone

Answer 10

Chem messenger produced by endocrine gland and released in blood stream, carried to one or more specific target organs to alter their activity.
Slower acting than neurotransmitters but have longer lasting effects on body and behaviour

Question 11

Difference between cns and hormones

Answer 11

Unlike the nervous system (which sends rapid electrical signals), the endocrine system uses chemical signalling—so effects can be widespread and longer-lasting.

Question 12

Dabbs et al. (1995) and T

Answer 12

Found higher testosterone in violent male offenders compared to non-violent offenders.

Question 13

Testosterone: Mechanism of Action:

Answer 13

Testosterone acts on regions of the brain such as the amygdala (involved in emotional processing) and the hypothalamus (regulates emotions, hunger, and aggression).
• High levels of testosterone can increase activity in these brain areas, which is linked to aggression and dominance behavior.