“Biology and Behavior” and “Neural Communication” Homework Review Vocabulary words to highlight: All-or-none response Reuptake Dendrite Neurotransmitters Axons Serotonin Axon potentials Dopamine Synapse Endorphins Excitatory signals Inhibitory signals Threshold Video link
Further description: Two types of action potentials, or signals What makes a neuron “fire” or send a message? Two types of action potentials, or signals Excitatory signals and Inhibitory signals If excitatory signals are stronger than inhibitory signals, the neuron will fire The point where an excitatory signal is more powerful than an inhibitory signal is called a threshold Neuron will fire or will not fire, this is an all-or-none response
Further description: How does one neuron send another neuron a signal? Message begins as electric, when message crosses the synapse it becomes chemical, and then becomes electric again when in the receiving neuron Chemicals that cross the synapse are called neurotransmitters There are many types of neurotransmitters and each neurotransmitter is responsible for different things Neurotransmitters we will focus on are: Serotonin Dopamine Endorphins Any neurotransmitters that are not picked up by the receiving neuron is absorbed by the sending neuron, this is called reuptake
Demonstrate your knowledge: Create a neuron model Paste two neurons onto larger paper (be sure the appropriate parts are communicating!) Label parts of the neurons and the spaces between neurons Draw arrows below the neuron showing which way the message is traveling Indicate below the arrows what type of message is being passed at particular points (chemical/electric) Label the components of chemical communication occurring