Evolutionary
Endocrine
System
We are
here
Building
Blocks
Genetics
Neurons
Central
Nervous
System
Peripheral
Nervous
System
Motor
Brain
Brain
Imaging
Neurotransmitters
Spinal
Cord
Autonomic
Sympathetic
Sensory
Somatic
Parasympathetic
NEUROTRANSMITTERS!
AP Psychology
Lock & Key Mechanism
Neurotransmitters bind to the receptors of the
receiving neuron in a key-lock mechanism.
Neurotransmitters



Chemicals released by the terminal buttons through
the synapse
There are dozens of neurotransmitters (NTs) in the
neurons of the body
NTs can either be excitatory or inhibitory
The Major Neurotransmitters in the Body

Acetylcholine:
 Excitatory
 Its
function is motor movement (causes
muscles to contract) and memory
 When blocked: paralysis (hemlock, bolutin,
black widows)
 Too little:
 Alzheimers
The Major Neurotransmitters in the Body

Dopamine:
 Inhibitory
 Motor
movement, alertness, & PLEASURE
 Lack of Dopamine= Parkinson’s disease
 Too much dopamine= Schizophrenia
The Major Neurotransmitters in the Brain

GABA:
 Gamma-Aminobutyric
 Hunger
Acid
and sleep
 The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain
 Too little: Huntington’s disease, anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia
 Too much: sleepy (alcohol)
The Major Neurotransmitters in the Brain

Glutamate:
 The
most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the
brain
 Important for memory
 Too much== ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), migraines,
seizures
The Major Neurotransmitters in the Body

Seratonin:
 Inhibitory
in pain pathways
 Involved in sleep, mood,
appetite, and sensory
perception
 Too little== Depression,
 Too much== anxiety, limits
dreaming, anorexia
The Major Neurotransmitters in the Body

Endorphins
 Short
for "endogenous (produced within) morphine."
 Structurally very similar to the opioids (opium, morphine,
heroin, etc.) (Same thing that helps bears hibernate!)
 Deals with pain control
 We’ve become addicted to endorphin-caused feelings
Neurotransmitters fit like chemical keys in
chemical locks.
2 Categories of neurotransmitters:
Excitatory
and Inhibitory
Excitatory
The key fits and ‘opens’ the
receiving neuron.
Activation of the receptor
causes depolarization of the
membrane and promotes an
action potential in the
receiving neuron.

Inhibitory
The key fits in but only stops
any other keys.
Activation of the receptor
causes hyperpolarization
and depresses action
potential generation.

Agonists
aGOnist
Antagonists
anTAGonist
Neurotransmission and Drugs

Drugs can affect synapses at a variety of sites and
in a variety of ways, including:
 Drugs
mimic NT
 Increasing the number of synapses
 Release of NT from neurons with or without synapses
 Produce more/less NT than what is normal
 Prevent vesicles from releasing NT
 Block intake of NT or block release of NT