Neurotransmitters - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

About This Presentation
Title:

Neurotransmitters

Description:

Neurotransmitters What are they and what do they contribute to the nervous system functioning? Neurotransmitters Chemical substances manufactured in the brain, spinal ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:88
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 6
Provided by: PeterGi9
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Neurotransmitters


1
Neurotransmitters
  • What are they and what do they contribute to the
    nervous system functioning?

2
Neurotransmitters
  • Chemical substances manufactured in the brain,
    spinal cord, glands, other parts of the body
  • Located within sphere shaped containers within
    the axon terminals (Synapse diagram)
  • When an action potential (electrical impulse)
    occurs and arrives at axon terminal,
    neurotransmitter (chemical) molecules are
    released into the synaptic space
  • This is an electrochemical process

3
What happens once they are released?
  • All neurotransmitters have a distinctive shape
    and are made to fit- like a lock and key- with
    receptor sites on the adjoining neuron
  • When they join with a receptor site they either
    excite or inhibit a particular action- or cause
    an action to happen or keep it from happening
  • For example.

4
Major Neurotransmitters
  • 75 or more have been identified
  • Acetylcholine
  • Excites skeletal muscle fibers (legs running,
    body movement)
  • Inhibits heart from beating too fast when running
  • Stimulates neurons involved in learning new
    information- helps you to understand and store
    info in your memory

5
Other Neurotransmitters
  • Dopamine Involved in learning, movement,
    reinforcement- people with Parkinsons Disease
    and schizophrenia are less sensitive to its
    effects
  • Serotonin plays an important role in regulating
    mood, sleep, impulsivity, aggression, appetite
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com