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Home : Other Subjects : Psychology Study Guides : 101 : Neurons, Hormones, and the Brain : Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters
So far, researchers have discovered about 15–20 different
neurotransmitters, and new ones are still being identified. The nervous system
communicates accurately because there are so many neurotransmitters and because
neurotransmitters work only at matching receptor sites. Different
neurotransmitters do different things.
Agonists and Antagonists
Agonists are chemicals that mimic the action of a particular
neurotransmitter. They bind to receptors and generate postsynaptic potentials.
Antagonists are chemicals that block the action of a
particular neurotransmitter. They bind to receptors but can’t produce
postsynaptic potentials. Because they occupy the receptor site, they prevent
neurotransmitters from acting.
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