Ask Your Question. Experts Answer You ASAP.

Describe neurotransmitters, their function, and impact on ...

Sent to General Experts September 5 2006 at 11:16 AM
   

Describe neurotransmitters, their function, and impact on behavior. Discuss one neurotransmitter in detail describing the effect it has on our bodies and connection with disease. Discuss the importance of biology for understanding behavior.

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 6 2006 at 3:04 AM (15 hours and 47 minutes and 53 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Hello Customer (name blocked for privacy) and hope you are doing well.

A neurotransmitter is a chemical substance that is released by a transmitting neuron (a cell that conducts electrochemical signals; the base unit of the Nervous system, also called a nerve cell) at the synapse and that which alters the activity of a receiving neuron.

Neurotransmitters makes it possible for one neuron to excite or inhibit another. They are chemical messengers located in the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and certain glands. Through their effects on specific nervous circuits, they can affect moods, memory, and well being. There are hundreds of substances known to being transmitters in our bodies and the number keeps growing. When a cell is stimulated a change in electrical potential occurs between the inside and the outside of a cell. The result is a brief change in electrical voltage that produces electrical impulses, changes then occur in the receiving neurons membrane and the effect is either excitatory( a shift in positive direction) or a inhibitory(a shift in the negative direction) The messages that reaches the final direction depends on the rate in which the individual neutrons are firing, how many are firing and what types are firing.

Production of neurotransmitters in our bodies depends on the nutrients we get. If we are not getting nutrients in the right quantity, deficiency occurs, and over time disease and illness associated with a low level of neurotransmitter occurs. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitter are implicated in some common illnesses and diseases, including, but not limited to ADHD, Anorexia, Bulimia, Depression, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, Diabetics and Parkinson and Alheizmer Diseases.

In addition to mood control, it has been linked to sleep disorders, schizophrenia, blood pressure and hormonal activity. Outside of the brain it also affects the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. It is said that too little of this serotonin can lead to anger control and suicide issues. The drug Prozac and a glass of warm milk before bed increases the levels of serotonin.

We know that Biology is the science of living things or the study of life. How we act and behave comes directly from our physiological make up. Because of the many sequences of unfolding genetically behaviors from before birth through our senior years Biology and behavior is then a "cause and effect" relationship. Genes with its many challenges and failings are passed on through our lineage which affects individuals at different times in their lives . After mapping and identifying the DNA pool , scientist are now recognizing and working on certain types of genes to eliminate certain diseases and behavior patterns.

In our daily lives we have hundreds of stimuli that affect our biological, behavior clock using all of our senses (sight, hearing, feeling, taste and smell). All in one way or another impacts our behavior, but only when we have a discriminative stimulus( touching something hot) is only when we acknowledge and respond, implementing a behavior change.

(Psychology by Carol Wade and Carol Mavis, 8th edition)

Hope this helps,

Have a great day!


I get paid only after you click ACCEPT If you like my answer please click ACCEPT and also leave a FEEDBACK and I will do the same for you. If you see fit I would appreciate a small BONUS too :)
Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

 

DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the JustAnswer service comes from those individuals, not from JustAnswer, and that JustAnswer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on JustAnswer are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. JustAnswer is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

JustAnswer > General