Neurons

&

Neurotransmitters
Presented by: Group A
Varsha Maniram Suszanna SamuelsSerina Liverpool Sundar Persaud
 • Neurons are electrically excitable cells
• fundamental unit of the nervous system
What are
• enable movement, response to stimuli,
Neurons? create and retain memories, etc. (Khan
Academy, 2021)
 Structures of
the Neuron
The Soma
• is the neural cell body
• Houses the nucleus and
other organelles
• Acts as the metabolic center
• Allows for proteins,
phospholipids, etc. to be
synthesized
(Khan Academy, 2021)
 • are short, branching
The Dendrites
processes arising from the
soma.
• Quintessential role is to
enlarge the surface area for
receiving signals from other
neurons' axonal projections.
• signals either excitatory or
inhibitory are received and
(Siegel & Sapru, 2010)
The Axon If the neuron fires, the action potential is conducted through the axon .

• is a single, long, cylindrical, and thin

• Sends information to the
projection that arises from the axon
hillock. target cells. (Siegel & Sapru, 2010)
• are spineless and the diameter is
almost constant throughout (Khan Academy,
2021)

• are either myelinated or unmyelinated.

• terminal ends are called synaptic

boutons
 Synapses
• Signals travel from neuron to neuron through a neural
junction called a synapse.
• This is called synaptic transmission.
• information is carried from presynaptic neuron to
postsynaptic neuron
• Synapses between skeletal muscle and neurons =
neuromuscular junctions
• while neurons and smooth muscle = neuroeffector
junctions. (Khan Academy, 2021)
 There are 3 classes
of neurons
Sensory are nerve cells which are
stimulated by environmental
information

Classes of Motor control all muscle

movements as they transmit neural
neurons based impulses from the spinal cord to
both smooth and skeletal muscles.
on role Interneuron are the bridges that
link spinal motor and sensory
neurons, & found in neural
pathways
 They can be divided into 4 groups:

Pseu
Types of neurons Multi bipol do- Unip
based on polar ar Unip olar
morphology neur neur olar neur
ons ons Neur ons
ons
Multipolar
• These are most commonly found in the
neurons brain and spinal cord
• They have three or more dendrites and
one long axon extending from the cell
body
Bipolar
neurons
Pseudo- • From the soma a single process
emerges and separates into two
unipolar branches.
neurons • One branch is aimed at the periphery,
while the other at the CNS.
• Each branch is structurally and
functionally similar to an axon.
• Information obtained the peripheral
Unipolar • these are rare in vertebrates

neurons • Dendrites emerge from one end of

the neuron, and an axon emerges
from the point where the
dendrites are positioned.
Neurotransmitters
• These are endogenous substances
that enable communication between
neurons across the synapse.
• Vital in performIng daily activities
and regulating bodily processes (Reddy
et al., 2022).
Types Of Neurotransmitters
These are categorized based on their
chemical makeup.
Amino Acids
• Glycine
—the most common inhibitory
neurotransmitter in the spinal cord.
—secreted in the forebrain, brainstem,
spinal cord, and retina.
—Aids in controlling hearing, pain
transmission, and metabolism (Cleveland
Clinic, n.d.).
• Gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA)
—most common inhibitory neurotransmitter
—secreted in the basil ganglia, cerebral cortex,
cerebellum, spinal cord, and retina.
—responsible for regulating vision, anxiety, and
motor control (Guy- Evans, 2021).
Glutamate
—Most numerous neurotransmitter
—secreted in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and
brain stem.
—responsible for cognitive functions (Guy- Evans, 2021).
Peptides
• Endorphins
— Reduces transmission of pain signals and
promotes euphoria (Guy- Evans, 2021).
— secreted in the hypothalamus and the pituitary
glands or released during physical activities.
• Acetylcholine
— first neurotransmitter to be discovered.
— only neurotransmitter to be found in entire
nervous system (Guy- Evans, 2021).
— linked to muscle movement, memory, and
learning.
• Oxytocin
– Is a hormone and
neurotransmitter
– aids in social recognition,
bonding and sexual
reproduction.
Monoamines
• Epinephrine/ Adrenaline
— is produced by the medulla of the adrenal
glands
— increases cardiac output and increases blood
glucose levels.
— Is both a hormone and neurotransmitter.
• Norepinephrine
— aids in the regulation of arousal, attention,
cognitive function and stress reaction.
— Functions in the fight or flight response.
 • Histamine
— found in the brain and spinal cord.
— functions as a mediator released from mast
cells through allergic reactions.

• Dopamine:
— Is vital in reward and movement regulation in
the brain

• Serotonin
— aids in the regulation of sleep anxiety
sexuality and appetite.
References

1. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Neurotransmitters.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22513-neurotransmitters
[Accessed 8th October, 2022].
2. Guy-Evans, O. (2021). Neurotransmitters: Types, Functions, and Examples.
https://www.simplypsychology.org/neurotransmitter.html [Accessed 8th
October, 2022].

3. Khan Academy. (2021). Overview of neuron structure and function. Khan

Academy.
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/human-biology/neuron-nervo
us-system/a/
overview-of-neuron-structure-and-function
4. Patel, R. H., & Mohiuddin, S. S. (2021). Biochemistry, Histamine. PubMed;