Transcript Neurotransmission

NEUROTRANSMISSION
Mr. Meehan
10th Grade Health
Quick Review

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5 factors that influence teens choices about drugs?
4 classifications of drugs?
Nervous System Structure

Two Systems
 Central Nervous
System – Composed
of your brain and
spinal cord.
 Peripheral Nervous
System – Composed
of nerve branches
arising from the brain
and spinal cord
Nervous System Function
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The nervous system is a network of
specialized cells, which coordinate
the actions of an individual by
sending signals from one part of the
body to the other.
Vocabulary
Neurons – a nerve cell that transmit
information throughout the body via the
nervous system.
 Synapse - is a small gap or junction
between two neurons.
 Neurotransmitters – chemical
messengers that carry messages across
the synapse.

Neurons
How Neurons Communicate

Neurotransmission –
transfer of
information between
neurons.
Video: How Neurons Communicate
Process of Neurotransmission
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Brain generates an electrical impulse or action
potential
Action potential signals neurotransmitters to
move toward axon terminals
Neurotransmitters are released into synapse
Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the
dendrites
Process is repeated.
How Neurons Communicate
How Neurons Communicate
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Neurotransmitters – what are they again????
 Chemical messengers that carry messages
across the synapse.
 They either excite or inhibit neurons
 Examples of neurotransmitters include
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
How Neurons Communicate
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Dopamine
 Controls voluntary movements of the body and is
associated with the reward mechanism of the brain.
 Regulates the pleasurable emotions
Serotonin
 Inhibitory neurotransmitter which has been found to have a
significant effect on emotion, mood and anxiety
Norepinephrine
 Excitatory neurotransmitter and it regulates mood and both
physical and mental arousal
How do drugs interact with our
Nervous system?
Mouse Party
How Role Play

We are going to role play and simulate how
cocaine effects your nervous system.