NEURONS AND

NEUROTRANSMITTERS

NEUROTRANSMITTER TRANSMIT
OR NEURONS
INFORMATION
NEUROMEDIATOR

Synapse
The neurotransmitter is released by vesicles at the tip of the presynaptic
neuron during the propagation of the nerve impulse, crosses the synaptic
space, and acts by changing the action potential in the next neuron by targeting
precise points on its plasma membrane.
 NEURONS AND
NEUROTRANSMITTERS

❑ They have branches called dendrites, where

they receive nerve impulses from other
neurons.
These nerve impulses travel unidirectionally through a
longer extension, called the axon, which also ends in
branches that in turn contact other neurons, forming
neural circuits. (Lodish, H.; Berk, A.; Zipursky, S.L. (2000).)
 NEURONS AND
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
NEUROTRANSMITTERS

❑ THEY CONDUCT MESSAGES TO DIFFERENT AREAS OF

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM (BRAIN, SPINAL CORD, AND
NERVES).
 NEUROTRANSMITTERS

❑ ACETYLCHOLINE.

Is an organic chemical that functions in the brain and

body of many types of animals (including humans) as
a neurotransmitter a chemical messenger released by
nerve cells to send signals to other cells, such as
neurons, muscle cells and gland cells. (1)
 NEUROTRANSMITTERS

❑ SEROTONIN

This hormone produced by the nervous

system is considered the biological basis
of happiness, it is capable of transmitting
information to our brain to make us feel all
kinds of emotions related to happiness and
well-being. In addition, it also modulates
other types of feelings such as
aggressiveness or anxiety.
 NEUROTRANSMITTERS

GAMMA ACID- GABA stands for Gamma-Aminobutyric

AMINOBUTYRIC OR Acid, which is also a common amino acid
GABA
in the human body. In the brain, GABA is
used to calm excited neurons in the brain,
allowing us to stay in a state of well-being.
Low levels of GABA in the mind can
indicate anxiety, epilepsy, and other
chronic pain. Therefore, it is important to
know about GABA, its benefits, side
effects, and dosage.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS

❑ DOPAMINE

Dopamine is a molecule that our body

produces naturally. It is located in the
Autonomous Nervous System (ANS). It is
a chemical messenger, that is, a
neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are
responsible for propagating nerve signals
between neurons, connected to each other.

Its main functions are pleasure (especially

if it is anticipatory), motivation ("wanting
to do"), coordination of movements,
decision-making, learning, etc. In the next
section we will delve into these and
others.
 NEUROTRANSMISORES

❑ NORADRENALINE

One of the most important functions of

norepinephrine is its role as a
neurotransmitter. It is released from
sympathetic neurons affecting the heart.

An increase in the levels of norepinephrine

in the sympathetic nervous system increases
the rate of contractions.

As a stress hormone, norepinephrine affects

parts of the brain such as the brain
amygdala, where attention and responses are
controlled.
 NEUROTRANSMITTERS

THE AMINO ACIDS GLUTAMATE AND ASPARTATE ARE THE MAIN

EXCITATORY NEUROTRANSMITTERS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS
SYSTEM. THEY ARE PRESENT IN THE CEREBRAL CORTEX, THE
CEREBELLUM AND THE SPINAL CORD.(Brailowsky, Simón (1995))
 RESUME NEUROTRANSMITTERS

WHEN AN ELECTRIC TYPE NERVOUS IMPULSE TRAVELS THROUGH THE AXON

OF A NEURON AND REACHES ITS END, IT RELEASES NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN
THE SYNAPSE. THAT IS, THE ELECTRIC IMPULSE BECOMES A CHEMICAL
SIGNAL. THESE NEUROTRANSMITTERS MOVE THROUGH THE SYNAPSE TO THE
MEMBRANE OF THE RECEPTOR NEURON, WHERE THEY COUPLE TO
POSTSYNAPTIC RECEPTORS, THE RECEPTOR MEMBRANE IS DEPOLARIZED AND
A NEW NERVOUS IMPULSE IS CREATED. THAT IS, THE CHEMICAL SIGNAL OF
THE SYNAPSE TURNS BACK INTO AN ELECTRICAL IMPULSE. AND SO ON.
 REFERENCES

Lodish, H.; Berk, A.; Zipursky, S.L. (2000). Molecular Cell Biology: Section 21.4
Neurotransmitters, Synapses, and Impulse Transmission (4th ed.). New York: W. H.
Freeman.
University of Bristol. "Introduction to Serotonin". Retrieved 15 October 2009.
"Neuron Conversations: How Brain Cells Communicate". Brainfacts.org. Retrieved
2 December 2014.
Ayano, Getinet (junio de 2016). «Common Neurotransmitters: Criteria for
Neurotransmitters, Key Locations, Classifications and Functions»
[Neurotransmisores comunes: criterio para neurotransmisores, ubicaciones clave,
clasificaciones y funciones]. Advances in Psychology and Neuroscience (en inglés)
(Science publishing group) 1 (1): 1-5. doi:10.11648/j.apn.20160101.11. Consultado
el 9 de mayo de 2017.

↑ Brailowsky, Simón (1995). «5 Los neurotransmisores». Las sustancias de los

sueños: neuropsicofarmacología. México: Instituto latinoamericano de la
comunicación educativa. Consultado el 19 de agosto de 2016.

Luis Smper, Neuroquímica cerebral: “Las moléculas y la conducta”. Biosalud,

Revista de Ciencias básicas