Unit 3-A (B):

Neural Communication and Neurotransmitters

Mr. McCormick A.P. Psychology

Do-Now (In Journal)

 What is a

neuron

?

 Provide an example of information that each of the following

neurons

may transmit: 

Sensory Neurons



Motor Neurons



Interneurons

 What causes

neurons

to fire?

Neural Communication

 What part of the

neuron

receives

messages from other cells?

 What part of the

neuron

messages to other cells?

sends

Neural Communication

 Neurons interact so closely that, even with a microscope, it is difficult to determine where one neuron ends and another begins 

Synapse:

 The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite of the receiving neuron  Synaptic gap (less than one-millionth of an inch wide)

Neural Communication



Neurotransmitters:

    Chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons Bind to receptor sites on receiving neurons Influences whether receiving neuron will generate a neural impulse

Endorphins:

  “Morphine-within” Natural opiate-like neurotransmitter linked to pain control and pleasure 

Reuptake:

 A neurotransmitter’s reabsorption by the sending neuron

Neural Communication

What are some activities that may cause the body to produce

endorphins

?

Neural Communication

Neurotransmitters and their Functions

Neurotransmitter Pathways

Neurotransmitter Skits



Directions:

 In groups of 4-5 students, create a characters below, to demonstrate the functions of the

Neurotransmitters skit

using any 4-5 of the that you have learned about in this unit.

 Design a

scenario

and write a

script

(minimum: 20 lines), in which the characters’ personalities and interactions with one another reflect the roles of the associated neurotransmitter.  Each group will be required to

perform

submit one written

script

per group.

their skits, and must

Neurotransmitter Skits



Cast:

        Alice Choline Donna Dopamine Sarah Tonin Nora Pinephrine Gabe Gaba Gary Glutamate Eric Endorphins Other (The Brain, Prozac, etc.)

Homework



Unit 3-A FRQ:



Unit 3-A Quiz:

“The Neuron”