Download Introduction to Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters
Ms. Carmelitano
Introduction
• Neurons are the building blocks of behavior
– The 10 to 100 billion neurons make about 13
trillion connections with each other over the
synapses
• Essential Question: How do messages cross
the synapses?
Answer: Neurotransmission!
• The neurons send electrochemical messages
to the brain so that people can respond to
stimuli
• Neurotransmission:
– The method by which messages are sent between
the synapses of the neurons
Neurotransmission
• When an electrical impulse travels down the
axon of the neuron, it releases
neurotransmitters which cross the synapse
between the neurons
• Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers
which transmit information over the synapses
from one neuron to another.
Neurotransmission
• Neurotransmitters are stored in the neuron’s
terminal buttons
• When they cross the synapse they fit into
receptor sites in the next neuron
– like a lock-in a key, only certain neurotransmitters
will fit in certain receptors
• After the message is sent, other chemicals reabsorb the released chemicals
Neurotransmission
• Enough of the science… now for the effect on
behavior!
Effect on Behavior
• Neurotransmission can cause many behavioral
traits such as
– Mood
– Memory
– Arousal
– Mental illness
Why?
• Neurotransmitters are responsible for causing
the body to react to stimuli
• If the neurotransmitters are out of balance,
they will not be able to cause the body to
appropriately react to stimuli
Effecting Neurotransmitters
• Neurotransmitters fit into receptor sites like a
lock-and-key
• Because of this, drugs can stimulate or block
the neurotransmitter
– This can be on purpose with prescription drugs to
regulate over or under production or as a result of
drug abuse
Neurotransmitters you should know
•
•
•
•
Acetylcholine
Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
Activity
• Using your textbooks and tablets, fill in the
Neurotransmitters chart
Acetylcholine
• A neurotransmitter in the Autonomic Nervous
System
• In the PNS – helps with muscle contraction
• In the CNS – sensory perception
• Related to learning, memory, movement
• If a person is having difficulty moving, it may
be due to a blockage of acetylcholine
Dopamine
•
•
•
•
Helps with voluntary movement
Learning
Feelings of pleasure
When we experience the stimuli of reward,
there is an increase of the production of
dopamine which creates the feeling of
pleasure
Norepinephrine
• Can affect the rhythm of the heart
• Helps to regulate flight-or-fight response
• Stimulating affect, causing arousal, alertness,
and stimulation of the sympathetic nervous
system
– Sympathetic nervous system – The system that
aids in control of internal organs
Serotonin
• Regulates sleep, arousal, and emotion
• Can regulate appetite
• Can also affect memory and learning
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90cj4NX8
7Yk
• http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements
/nih2/Addiction/activities/lesson2_neurotrans
mission.htm