SAQ | Explain the role of one inhibitory synapse,
by making reference to one study
Opening Statement
The present essay explains the role of the inhibitory synapse of the inhibitory
neurotransmitter serotonin, through the study of Crockett et al. (2010), which
showed that increased serotonin, due to blockage of its receptors via the
administration of the drug citalopram, resulted in promotion of prosocial
behavior.
Theory
• Definition: Neurotransmitters are chemical substances that relay
information across the gaps (synapses) between neurons.
• Description:
o stored in packages termed ‘synaptic vesicles’ at the terminal of a
presynaptic neuron
o released by the arrival of an action potential
o after crossing of synapse -> fit into the receptors of the
postsynaptic neuron.
• Effect: Each neurotransmitter has a variety of effects on human behavior
/ Neurotransmission underlies behavior as varied as mood, sleep,
learning and memory, sexual arousal, and mental illness.
• Synapses can be either excitatory or inhibitory
1. Inhibitory: they can either instruct the receiving neuron (post-
synaptic neuron) not to fire
2. Excitatory: opposite, to fire
3. It is the action of the particular neurotransmitter in the terminal
button which makes a synapse either excitatory or inhibitory.
4. For example, the inhibitory neurotransmitter serotonin binds to
receptor sites and reduces the chances of the post-synaptic
neuron firing and sending a signal or in other words, stops the
impulse and prevents it from crossing a synapse producing
calming effects on the brain.
5. An excitatory neurotransmitter has the exactly opposite action,
producing stimulating effects.
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