Your Brain: Use it or Lose it The Zombie Diaries Your Brain: Use it or Lose it Created by: Deb Byrne

Lesson 1

OVERVIEW What’s the Big Idea?: To understand the physical aspects of a neuron, its pathways, and how messages are sent across the pathways (neurotransmission). -Choose a partner -Go to a computer and grab a packet from the end of the table -View pages 4-10 of this PowerPoint -Find a quiet spot. Use the neuron puzzle in the packet to create and label the important parts with your partner -Give your final picture an official name and be ready to present it to the class -After presentations, join your partner and look at slides 11-13 of this powerpoint -Get ready for a neurotransmission game

Neurons and Neurotransmission

I want you to be able to answer these questions: What is a neuron? What does it do ? How does it do it?

A Neuron is: A specialized cell that receives information and transmits it to other cells

A Neuron

Neuron under an electron microscope

Make Your Own Neuron Dendrite Axon Soma (cell body) Nucleus Myelin Sheath Terminal Buttons

How Does it Work? Neurotransmission is a fancy name for two or more neurons communicating with each other. There are 4 neurons communicating in the picture to the right or you could say that neurotransmission is taking place 1 3 4 2

Neurotransmitters are released from terminal buttons and cross the tiny space between it and the next neuron called the synaptic gap.

Now let’s watch two animated version of neurotransmission Now let’s watch two animated version of neurotransmission. Click on the links below Neurotransmitter Synapse 3D Animation Neuron – 3D Medical Animation

Neurotransmitters A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that carries signals between neurons as well as other cells in the body. These chemicals are released from the end of one neuron and cross the synapse to receptor sites in the next neuron.