Based on discoveries made through neural mapping of the limbic system, the neurobiological explanation of human emotion is that emotion is a pleasant or unpleasant mental state organized in the limbic system of the mammalian brain. If distinguished from reactive responses of reptiles, emotions would then be mammalian elaborations of general vertebrate arousal patterns, in which neurochemicals (for example, dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin) step-up or step-down the brain's activity level, as visible in body movements, gestures and postures. Emotions can likely be mediated by pheromones (see fear). COUNT 5
QSN1 What system was examined to develop the neurobiological explanation of human emotion? ANS1 limbic QSN2 What classification of chemicals do dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline belong to? ANS2 neurochemicals QSN3 What chemicals may mediate emotions? ANS3 pheromones QSN4 Reactive responses are present in the brains of what animals? ANS4 reptiles QSN5 The neurobiological explanation is specific to what types of brains? ANS5 mammalian