Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Words: 999
Pages: 4
Open Document
Neurochemistry is the specific study of neurochemicals, including neurotransmitters and other molecules that influence the operations of neurons. Neurochemistry has its origins as a recognized scientific discipline in the 1950’s with the founding of the International Society for Neurochemistry and the American Society for Neurochemistry.

The majority of neurochemistry focuses on neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the brain chemicals that communicate information throughout our brain and body. They relay signals to and from nerve cells, which are called neurons. The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell your stomach to digest, heart to beat, and lungs to fill with air; they also affect mood. Neurotransmitter levels in the brain can …show more content…
The major categories they are classified in are amino acids, gasotransmitters, monoamines, trace amines, peptides and purines. All of these types of neurotransmitters fall in the broader classification of either an inhibitory or excitatory neurotransmitter. Excitatory neurotransmitters are what stimulate the brain. Inhibitory neurons cause the brain to relax and help create balance. Inhibitory neurotransmitters are depleted when excitatory neurotransmitters are overactive. Examples of inhibitory neurotransmitters are serotonin, GABA, and dopamine, while some examples of excitatory neurotransmitters are acetylcholine, norephinephrine, and glutamate. There are around 60 different molecules that are known to be neurotransmitters, but the most well-known are acetylcholine, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, aspartate, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Each of these neurotransmitters are totally unique in their composition and in how they help our body …show more content…
The greatest concentration of serotonin, about 90%, is found in cells of the gastrointestinal tract. The effects of serotonin are felt in the cardiovascular system, respiratory system and the intestines. The chemical formula of serotonin is N2OC10H12 and its molecular mass is 176.2182 g/mol, its monoisotopic mass is 176.0950 g/mol, and its composition is N (15.8970 percent), O (9.0793 percent), C (68.1598 percent), and H (6.8638 percent) (Lyroudi.2008). Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter which means that it contains one amino group that is connected to an aromatic ring by a two-carbon chain (-CH2-CH2-). Serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid L-tryptophan by a metabolic pathway consisting of two enzymes: tryptophan hydroxylase and decarboxylase. It is formed by the hydroxylation (the addition of -OH) and decarboxylation (the removal of a carboxyl group and release of CO2) of tryptophan.The synthesis occurs in the central nervous system by the serotonergic neurons and in the gastrointestinal tract by enterochromaffin cells. Serotonin made by the enterochromaffin cells then finds its way into the bloodstream. Once there, it is retrieved by blood platelets which store it. If the platelets bind to a clot, they release serotonin, where it helps to regulate hemostasis and blood clotting. Serotonin also helps some
Show More

Related Documents: Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Essay on 10 Neurotransmitters

10 Major Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters are powerful chemicals that regulate numerous physical and emotional processes such as mental performance, emotional states and pain response. Virtually all functions in life are controlled by neurotransmitters. They are the brain's chemical messengers.Interactions between neurotransmitters, hormones, and the brain chemicals have a profound influence on overall health and well-being. When our concentration and focus is good, we feel more directed, motivated…

Words 1187 - Pages 5

Essay on Neurotransmitter and Skeletal Muscles

Neurotransmitters are powerful chemicals that regulate numerous physical and emotional processes such as mental performance, emotional states and pain response. Virtually all functions in life are controlled by neurotransmitters. They are the brain's chemical messengers.Interactions between neurotransmitters, hormones, and the brain chemicals have a profound influence on overall health and well-being. When our concentration and focus is good, we feel more directed, motivated, and vibrant. Unfortunately…

Words 1173 - Pages 5

Reg Syn Answers 1 Essay

These allow for two-way data exchange between cells. Chemical Synapses 6. What is the synaptic cleft? It is a narrow physical gap at the junction between 2 cells. 7. Electrical impulses cannot jump the synaptic cleft. What is the role of neurotransmitters in achieving this task? They are the chemical messengers of the converted electrical signal which can diffuse across the gap. 8. Explain what is meant by a chemical synapse being “one way only.” This means that data can only travel from…

Words 731 - Pages 3

Drugs: Addiction and Decision Making Essay

After doing the Mouse Party exercise I learned that almost all of the drugs and alcohol affect the Serotonin and Dopamine receptors in the brain that lead to the Synaptic Cleft. Most of these drugs are highly addictive and have been known to cause death during an overdose, but in some cases where the addict suffers a sudden withdrawal they can become extremely ill and even die because their bodies are so used to whatever drug they are abusing that their normal body functions shut down. When our body…

Words 499 - Pages 2

Neuron and Action Potential Signal Essay

presynaptic neuron contain vesicles with neurotransmitter chemicals. The action potential causes the neurotransmitter chemicals to be released in the synaptic gap by exocytosis. The neurotransmitters diffuse through the extra-cellular fluid and bind to specific neurotransmitter receptors on the membranes of the post-synaptic neurons dendrites. There are over 60 neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. The neurotransmitters can be: 1. Excitatory – cause Na+…

Words 322 - Pages 2

Ap Psychology Cycle Plan For La 2.3

the brain is not able to produce the sufficient amount of dopamine due to Parkinson’s. Q3b.The Midbrain is located in the most middle part of the brain. Q3c. The low level of dopamine will impair control of voluntary movement because it is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for sending signals between multiple brain…

Words 1048 - Pages 5

Brain Response of Behavior Essay

common neurotransmitters and describe their effect on behavior. The transmission of signals from one neuron the next across the synapses is a chemical called neurotransmitters. These chemicals are found at the end of the axon motor neurons and are meant to stimulate the muscle fibers and cause them to contract. Such glands as the pituitary and adrenal glands produce these chemicals. The first neurotransmitter to be discovered is the acetylcholine. While this neurotransmitter has numerous…

Words 1380 - Pages 6

Structure And Function Of The Nervous System

Chapters 2 and 3 Structure and Function of the Nervous System Chemical Signaling by Neurotransmitters and Hormones Neuron Structure Three main features of every neuron Dendrites Treelike projections from the soma that receive information from other cells Constantly modified and change shape rapidly in response to changes in synaptic transmission Soma Cell boy Contains the nucleus and other organelles that maintain metabolic function Axon Single tubular extension that conducts the electrical signal…

Words 2325 - Pages 10

Essay on Hallmark 2

nerve signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters, or some combination of these factors. Researchers believe that some people with epilepsy have an abnormally high level of excitatory neurotransmitters that increase neuronal activity, while others have an abnormally low level of inhibitory neurotransmitters that decrease neuronal activity in the brain. Either situation can result in too much neuronal activity and cause epilepsy. One of the most-studied neurotransmitters that plays a role in…

Words 1774 - Pages 8

02 The Biology Of The Mind 3 Essay

the axon terminals of the sending cell are filled with round sacks (vesicles) which contain a chemical (neurotransmitter) - an action potential causes the vesicles to move down the terminal fibers and release the neurotransmitter - the axon terminals of the sending cell almost but not quite touch the surface of the receiving cell - the gap is called a synapse - the neurotransmitter travels across the synapse into the receptors in the dendrites of the next cell The axon terminals of one…

Words 3059 - Pages 13