Question

1. briefly describe the following neurotransmitters, including their effects.

table with columns: neurotransmitter, function, other information. rows: acetylcholine (ach); dopamine (function: movement, learning, attention, emotion; other info: too much - hallucinations, schizophrenia; not enough - parkinson’s disease); serotonin; norepinephrine; gaba; glutamate; endorphins (function: secreted in stress or pain, handwritten); substance p (function: causes pain, handwritten)

1. distinguish between agonists and antagonists. give an example each.
2. how is the endocrine system different from the nervous system?

Explanation:

Question 15: Describe Neurotransmitters (Function & Other Info)

Acetylcholine (ACh)

• Function: Muscle movement, memory, learning, attention.
• Other Info: Low levels linked to Alzheimer’s; blocked in myasthenia gravis.

Dopamine (Filled, but rechecking)

• Function: Movement, learning, attention, emotion (as given).
• Other Info: Too much → hallucinations/schizophrenia; too little → Parkinson’s (as given).

Serotonin

• Function: Mood regulation, sleep, appetite, social behavior.
• Other Info: Low levels linked to depression; targeted by SSRIs (antidepressants).

Norepinephrine

• Function: Arousal, alertness, mood, fight - or - flight response.
• Other Info: Low in depression; too much → anxiety.

GABA (Gamma - Aminobutyric Acid)

• Function: Inhibitory (calms neural activity), reduces anxiety.
• Other Info: Target of benzodiazepines (anti - anxiety drugs); low levels → anxiety disorders.

Glutamate

• Function: Excitatory (boosts neural activity), learning, memory.
• Other Info: Too much → excitotoxicity (brain damage); involved in stroke/Alzheimer’s.

Endorphins

• Function: Pain relief, stress response, “runner’s high” (as hinted: “Secreted in stress or pain”).
• Other Info: Natural opiates; block pain signals.

Substance P

• Function: Transmits pain signals (as hinted: “Causes pain”).
• Other Info: Counteracted by endorphins; involved in inflammation.

Question 16: Agonists vs. Antagonists

Agonists

• Definition: Molecules that mimic neurotransmitters, activating receptors (increase effect).
• Example: Morphine (mimics endorphins, relieves pain).

Antagonists

• Definition: Molecules that block neurotransmitters from binding to receptors (decrease effect).
• Example: Naloxone (blocks opioid receptors, reverses overdose).

Question 17: Endocrine vs. Nervous System

Feature	Endocrine System	Nervous System
Transmission	Bloodstream (hormones travel to target organs).	Neurons (via synapses, local transmission).
Response Speed	Slow (minutes to hours).	Fast (milliseconds).
Duration	Long - lasting (hormones persist in blood).	Short - lasting (neurotransmitters cleared quickly).
Target	Widespread (hormones reach many cells).	Specific (neurons connect to specific targets).
Structures	Glands (e.g., thyroid, adrenal, pancreas).	Brain, spinal cord, nerves.

Answer:

Question 15: Describe Neurotransmitters (Function & Other Info)

Acetylcholine (ACh)

• Function: Muscle movement, memory, learning, attention.
• Other Info: Low levels linked to Alzheimer’s; blocked in myasthenia gravis.

Dopamine (Filled, but rechecking)

• Function: Movement, learning, attention, emotion (as given).
• Other Info: Too much → hallucinations/schizophrenia; too little → Parkinson’s (as given).

Serotonin

• Function: Mood regulation, sleep, appetite, social behavior.
• Other Info: Low levels linked to depression; targeted by SSRIs (antidepressants).

Norepinephrine

• Function: Arousal, alertness, mood, fight - or - flight response.
• Other Info: Low in depression; too much → anxiety.

GABA (Gamma - Aminobutyric Acid)

• Function: Inhibitory (calms neural activity), reduces anxiety.
• Other Info: Target of benzodiazepines (anti - anxiety drugs); low levels → anxiety disorders.

Glutamate

• Function: Excitatory (boosts neural activity), learning, memory.
• Other Info: Too much → excitotoxicity (brain damage); involved in stroke/Alzheimer’s.

Endorphins

• Function: Pain relief, stress response, “runner’s high” (as hinted: “Secreted in stress or pain”).
• Other Info: Natural opiates; block pain signals.

Substance P

• Function: Transmits pain signals (as hinted: “Causes pain”).
• Other Info: Counteracted by endorphins; involved in inflammation.

Question 16: Agonists vs. Antagonists

Agonists

• Definition: Molecules that mimic neurotransmitters, activating receptors (increase effect).
• Example: Morphine (mimics endorphins, relieves pain).

Antagonists

• Definition: Molecules that block neurotransmitters from binding to receptors (decrease effect).
• Example: Naloxone (blocks opioid receptors, reverses overdose).

Question 17: Endocrine vs. Nervous System

Feature	Endocrine System	Nervous System
Transmission	Bloodstream (hormones travel to target organs).	Neurons (via synapses, local transmission).
Response Speed	Slow (minutes to hours).	Fast (milliseconds).
Duration	Long - lasting (hormones persist in blood).	Short - lasting (neurotransmitters cleared quickly).
Target	Widespread (hormones reach many cells).	Specific (neurons connect to specific targets).
Structures	Glands (e.g., thyroid, adrenal, pancreas).	Brain, spinal cord, nerves.