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

The Neuron
The neuron is the basic building block of the nervous system
They are often grouped in bundles

called nerves.

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. Axon Terminal is the last step for the relay of information inside the neuron.

4.

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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Lets Review!

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Now, Lets 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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