Neurotransmitter
Definition
A neurotransmitter is a chemical substance that transmits signals between nerve cells in the brain and other parts of the body.
Analogy
Think of neurotransmitters as messengers delivering important information between different brain cells, just like how text messages deliver information between friends.
Related terms
Synapse: The small gap where neurotransmitters are released from one neuron and received by another.
Serotonin: Another neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep.
Acetylcholine: A neurotransmitter responsible for muscle movement and memory.
"Neurotransmitter" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Practice Questions (20+)
What is the neurotransmitter targeted by opioids such as heroin and morphine, which are highly addictive and can cause respiratory depression and overdose?
What is the neurotransmitter targeted by alcohol, which increases its activity in the brain and can cause sedation, impaired judgment, and memory impairment?
What is the neurotransmitter targeted by LSD and other hallucinogens, which bind to its receptors and can cause perceptual and cognitive distortions?
What is the neurotransmitter targeted by nicotine, which increases its activity in the brain and can cause addiction, increased arousal, and cognitive effects?
What is the neurotransmitter responsible for the regulation of sleep, appetite, and mood, and is often targeted by medications used to treat depression?
What is the process by which a neurotransmitter binds to a receptor on the postsynaptic neuron, resulting in the generation of a new electrical signal?
Which neurotransmitter, when present in an amount greater than usual, is linked to schizophrenia?
Prozac is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) which blocks the reuptake of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter in mood regulation and happiness, and therefore make it more abundant for the brain to use. What do SSRI's have the potential to damage?
Which neurotransmitter is related to memory processing and is released by neurons?
Which neurotransmitter is associated with memory and is released by neurons for communication?
What happens when a neurotransmitter act as an antagonist in our body?
What role does the neurotransmitter dopamine play in reward-based behaviors according to psychological research?
Which neurotransmitter is most directly involved in regulating mood and feelings of well-being?
Which neurotransmitter plays a key role in memory and learning?
Which neurotransmitter is most directly associated with mood regulation?
Which neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for mood regulation?
Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the activation of neural firing?
Which neurotransmitter is most directly involved with the regulation of mood, appetite, and sleep?
Which type of neurotransmitter is affected most directly when caffeine is consumed?
Which neurotransmitter influences mood and hunger?
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