Description of Neurotransmitter Actions

Neurotransmission Simulation

An interactive animation shows neuron 1 in one molecule transmitting a signal to neuron 2 in a second molecule.

This simulation shows one neuron relaying information to another neuron. If a signaling molecule binds to neuron 1, how does the release of dopamine from neuron 2 change? Select one of the four cases to see how a signaling molecule changes neurotransmitter release.

Case A

The signaling molecule is inhibitory. Neuron 1 releases glutamate. Neuron 2 releases dopamine.

Select the correct words in the questions below to check your understanding of neurotransmission:

• Is the signal molecule inhibitory or excitatory?
• Does the signal molecule cause the activity of neuron 1 to increase or decrease?
• As a result, does the amount of neurotransmitter released from neuron 1 increase or decrease?
• Is neuron 1's neurotransmitter inhibitory or excitatory?
• Does the activity of neuron 2 increase or decrease?
• Does the amount of dopamine released from neuron 2 increase or decrease?

The correct answers for Case A follow:

• The signal molecule is inhibitory.
• The signal molecule causes the activity of neuron 1 to decrease.
• As a result, the amount of neurotransmitter released from neuron 1 decreases.
• Neuron 1's neurotransmitter is excitatory.
• The activity of neuron 2 decreases.
• The amount of dopamine released from neuron 2 decreases.

Case B

The signaling molecule is excitatory. Neuron 1 releases glutamate. Neuron 2 releases dopamine.

Select the correct words in the questions below to check your understanding of neurotransmission:

• Is the signal molecule inhibitory or excitatory?
• Does the signal molecule cause the activity of neuron 1 to increase or decrease?
• As a result, does the amount of neurotransmitter released from neuron 1 increase or decrease?
• Is neuron 1's neurotransmitter inhibitory or excitatory?
• Does the activity of neuron 2 increase or decrease?
• Does the amount of dopamine released from neuron 2 increase or decrease?

The correct answers for Case B follow:

• The signal molecule is excitatory.
• The signal molecule causes the activity of neuron 1 to increase.
• As a result, the amount of neurotransmitter released from neuron 1 increases.
• Neuron 1's neurotransmitter is excitatory.
• The activity of neuron 2 increases.
• The amount of dopamine released from neuron 2 increases.

Case C

The signaling molecule is inhibitory. Neuron 1 releases GABA. Neuron 2 releases dopamine.

Select the correct words in the questions below to check your understanding of neurotransmission:

• Is the signal molecule inhibitory or excitatory?
• Does the signal molecule cause the activity of neuron 1 to increase or decrease?
• As a result, does the amount of neurotransmitter released from neuron 1 increase or decrease?
• Is neuron 1's neurotransmitter inhibitory or excitatory?
• Does the activity of neuron 2 increase or decrease?
• Does the amount of dopamine released from neuron 2 increase or decrease?

The correct answers for Case C follow:

• The signal molecule is inhibitory.
• The signal molecule causes the activity of neuron 1 to decrease.
• As a result, the amount of neurotransmitter released from neuron 1 decreases.
• Neuron 1's neurotransmitter is inhibitory.
• The activity of neuron 2 increases.
• The amount of dopamine released from neuron 2 increases.

Case D

The signaling molecule is excitatory. Neuron 1 releases GABA. Neuron 2 releases dopamine.

Select the correct words in the questions below to check your understanding of neurotransmission:

• Is the signal molecule inhibitory or excitatory?
• Does the signal molecule cause the activity of neuron 1 to increase or decrease?
• As a result, does the amount of neurotransmitter released from neuron 1 increase or decrease?
• Is neuron 1's neurotransmitter inhibitory or excitatory?
• Does the activity of neuron 2 increase or decrease?
• Does the amount of dopamine released from neuron 2 increase or decrease?

The correct answers for Case D follow:

• The signal molecule is excitatory.
• The signal molecule causes the activity of neuron 1 to increase.
• As a result, the amount of neurotransmitter released from neuron 1 increases.
• Neuron 1's neurotransmitter is inhibitory.
• The activity of neuron 2 decreases.
• The amount of dopamine released from neuron 2 decreases.

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