Final answer:
Schizophrenia is influenced by biological factors like malfunctioning dopaminergic neurons and environmental factors such as being raised in a disturbed family environment. Antipsychotic medications, which target dopamine neurotransmission, emphasize the role of biological influences on the disorder.
Step-by-step explanation:
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder influenced by both biological and environmental factors. One biological factor associated with schizophrenia involves the malfunctioning of neurotransmitter systems, specifically dopaminergic neurons. This is supported by the effectiveness of antipsychotic medications, which act as dopamine antagonists, blocking the dopamine receptors and decreasing dopamine activity. An environmental factor that has been linked to schizophrenia is being raised in a disturbed family environment. Studies, such as the one conducted in 2004 by Tienari et al., have shown that adoptees with high genetic risk (biological mothers with schizophrenia) are significantly more likely to develop schizophrenia when raised in such environments compared to those in healthy family environments.