Download Biology 30 – Notes Neurotransmitters and the Brain, September 15

Biology 30 – Notes Neurotransmitters and the Brain, September 15, 2014
What We Need to Know
Students will:
 Describe the general structure and function of a neuron and myelin sheath. Explain the formation
and transmission of an action potential, including all-or-none response and intensity of response;
the transmission of a signal across a synapse; and the main chemicals and transmitters involved,
i.e., norepinephrine, acetylcholine and cholinesterase.
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Identify the principal structures of the central and peripheral nervous systems and explain their
functions in regulating the voluntary (somatic) and involuntary (autonomic) systems of the human
organism; i.e., cerebral hemispheres and lobes, cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata,
hypothalamus, spinal cord, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and the sensorysomatic nervous system.
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Describe, using an example, the organization of neurons into nerves and the composition and
function of reflex arcs; e.g., the patellar reflex, the pupillary reflex
Review: Reflex Arcs http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/reflexarcs.html
Review: Many substances such as drugs, painkillers, chemicals, and neurotoxins can interfere with the
functions of the synapses and neurotransmitters.
Acetylcholine and Cholinesterase
Norepinephrine – neurotransmitter released by the sympathetic neurons of the autonomic system to
produce an excitatory effect on target muscles. Also a hormone produced by the adrenal medulla along
with epinephrine to function in the short-term stress response also known as adrenaline.
Interactive Brain:
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/brain-article/
http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/brain/
http://www.brainline.org/multimedia/interactive_brain/the_human_brain.html
Cerebrum – is the largest part of the brain and accounts for most of the weight of the brain. The
cerebrum is divided into right and left cerebral hemispheres, which contain the centres for intellect,
memory, consciousness, and language. It interprets and controls the response to sensory information.
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Internal mass of white matter.
Thin outer covering of grey matter called cerebral cortex.
Two hemispheres are connected and linked by a bundle of white matter called the corpus
callosum.
It is divided into four lobes (FPOT).
1. Frontal – associated with conscious thought, intelligence, memory, and personality. Controls
voluntary muscle movements.
2. Parietal – Receives sensory information from the skin, and processes information about the body
position.
3. Occipital – processes visual information, damage will see but not recognize.
4. Temporal – involved in auditory reception, understanding speech
*Color in the lobes (yellow frontal, purple parietal, green occipital, blue temporal)* label provide the
major function of each.
Other parts of the Brain
1. Cerebellum – controls muscle coordination and balance. Sometimes called “little brain” look like a
walnut.
2. Pons – located in the brainstem, relay centre for between neurons of the right and left halves of the
cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the rest of the brain.
3. Pituitary Gland – important part of the Endocrine system and involved in hormone regulation.
4. Midbrain – found about the pons in the brainstem. It relays visual and auditory information between
areas of the hindbrain and forebrain. It also plays an important role in eye movement and control of
skeletal muscles.
5. Medulla oblongata – sits at the base of the brainstem, it connects the brain and spinal cord. Controls
automatic and involuntary responses such as heart rate, coughing, breathing rate, swallowing etc.
6. Thalamus – at the base of the forebrain, it consists of neurons that provide connections between
various parts of the brain and the sensory system.
7. Hypothalamus – helps regulate the body’s internal environment and some aspects of behaviour.
Blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and thirst and hunger and emotion fear, pleasure and rage.
Damage can cause people to display unusual behaviour. Important link between the CNS and Endocrine
(hormone) systems. It cooridnates the actions of the pituitary gland, by producing and regulating the
release of certain hormones.