BLA: Neurotransmitters VS Hormones

Quick Notes:

Neurotransmitters: any chemicals that are capable of synaptic transmission of a nerve impulse / action potential across a synapse. Neurotransmitters are involved in the transmission of an action potential from a presynaptic neuron to a postsynaptic neuron. Neurotrasmitters are able to carry these nerve impulses quickly - much quicker than hormones. However, the effect that neurotransmitters have on behavior of the organism is short-lasting as well. This is because constant stimulation of a receptor will cause habituation.

Hormones: chemicals that are secreted by the endocrine system of an organism. Any gland within the endocrine system is capable of releasing a hormone. The hormone is transported through the body by the blood stream; it is able to access (essentially) all the cells of the organism. However, the hormone will have target cells, where they are only able to bind to specific protein receptors on the membranes of those same cells (i.e. the hormones will not alter the nature of all the cells within a body). Hormones tend to take a longer amount of time to affect the organism, but the effects are longer lasting than that of neurotransmitters.