How is the Nervous System

Organized?

Chapter 3-Neuroscience:
The Brain and Behavior

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 Class Objectives:
Identify and define the structures of
the neuron

Identify and discuss the role of

neurotransmitters on behavior

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 The Neuron

The neuron is the basic building

block of the nervous system

‐ They are often grouped in bundles

called nerves.

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 4 parts of the neuron

1. Dendrites are specialized to receive

signals from neighboring neurons and
carry them back to the cell body

Thin, bushy-like structures that receive

information from outside the neuron

‐ Relays the information into the cell body

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 The Neuron
2. The Cell body
contains the cell
nucleus

The cell body

relays the
information
down to the
axon
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 The structure of a neuron
3. Axon: A thin, long structure that
transmits signals from the cell body to
the axon terminal.

4. Axon Terminal is the last step for the

relay of information inside the neuron.

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 The cell
body is
covered
with Axon
Terminals
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Once the information hits the
terminal, it is transmitted
outside the cell by
neurotransmitters, which
reside in the axon terminal.

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How do Neurons
Communicate?

-Electrical Communication
-Chemical Communication
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 The Electrical Part
Action potential is an electrical current
sent down the axon.

The activity within the neurons is

electrical. This current causes the neuron
to “fire”

‐ This is an “all-or-none” process

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Action potentials travel down the axon like
a wave of energy

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 Synaptic transmission
The Synapse is the space between
neurons
‐ The synaptic gap or cleft

• Information must be transmitted across

the synapse to other neurons via the
neurotransmitters.

• This is an electrochemical process

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Let’s Review!

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Now, Let’s DANCE!

Time to do the Neuron Dance

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 __________

Presynaptic Neuron

________
________

____________

________________________

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 Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemical

substances that reside in the axon
terminals

• They communicate to other neurons by

binding to receptors on neighboring
neurons

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 Chemical Communication
The communication between neurons is
chemical

Neurotransmitter are either neutralized by

an enzyme or taken back up by the
neuron that released it in reuptake.

‐ At least 50 different types of

neurotransmitters have been identified

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Chemical Communication

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 Synaptic Transmission
The neurotransmitters are released from
the vesicles and then attach to receptors
located on the postsynaptic neuron.

These neurotransmitters are in contact with

the dendrite of the postsynaptic neuron
only briefly.

‐ The chemical is almost immediately

destroyed or reabsorbed
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 Neurotransmitters
At least 50 different types of
neurotransmitters have been identified

‐ Acetylcholine
‐ GABA
‐ Serotonin
‐ Dopamine
‐ Norepinephrine
‐ Endorphins
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 Acetylcholine

Activates motor neurons controlling

skeletal muscles

Contributes to the regulation of attention,

arousal and memory

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Examples of Neurotransmitters
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is
involved in experiences of anxiety,
alcohol abuse, seizure disorders, and
sleep disorders

Serotonin is involved in sleep and

mood regulation and appetite (appetite
for carbohydrates)
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 Dopamine

Involved in movement, thought

processes, emotion, feelings of reward
and pleasure

Implicated in schizophrenia, attention

deficit disorder, and drug abuse

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 Norepinephrine

Involved in arousal reactions (increasing

heart rate, respiration, sweating, and
dilation of pupils)

May also be involved in hunger, eating,

and sexual activity

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How do drugs effect
behavior?

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 Drugs Impact on the Brain

Common drugs can alter the amount of a

neurotransmitter released at the synapses

Some drugs can mimic/facilitate the action of

the neurotransmitters while others can block
the action of the neurotransmitter.

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Agonists versus Antagonists
Agonists mimic or facilitate the actions of a
neurotransmitter

Antagonists oppose/block the actions of a

neurotransmitter

Agonist Antagonist

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 Next Class…

The Brain
How do the neurons work together?
‐ The Central Nervous System
‐ The Peripheral Nervous System

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