Looking at Neurotransmitters and Glands Natures Text Messages Looking at Neurotransmitters and Glands
Neurotransmitters Vesicles= storage bins Located where the axon ends before the synapse Inside there is 1000 of chemical molecules (messengers) Each type of molecule is a different shape & size If a circuit is for pain, molecules inside that vesicle have a unique makeup > only pain message sent to brain
Neurotransmitter The molecules inside vesicles Send nerve info from axon over the synapse to the dendrite receptor Each circuit contains a diff specific molecule for each activity that circuit control Ex. Movement, pain, pleasure etc.
Neurotransmitters Right now scientist know of 60 NT 4 main NT Acetylcholine Dopamine Endorphins Serotonin
Serotonin 80 to 90 % of the human body's total serotonin is located in the cells in the gut, where it is used to regulate intestinal movements. The remainder is in the central nervous system functions: mood, appetite, sleep, muscle contraction, and some cognitive functions including memory and learning.
Dopamine Most associated w/ movement Shortage of Dopamine = Parkinson's Cell that makes dopamine dies off Only know disease that is caused by shortage of one single neurotransmitter
Acetylcholine Most common/well studied Movement of body Memory Botulism = shuts off the release of Ach > paralysis Alzheimer’s = part of the brain does not produce Ach not working properly > less Ach is available to the person
Endorphins Pain relievers Make us happy Natural morphine produced by the body Prevents nerve cells from releasing more pain signals
Long Messages: Hormones Glands store and release hormones Hormones Passed in body through bloodstream Turn on other parts of the body Chemicals that stay in the body for long periods of time
Pituitary Gland Master Gland of body Attached to the hypothalamus Send messages that will start glands going Determine how short or tall people are Releases growth hormones Releases it in fits and starts Problems can cause extreme height 8’11’’ shortest person 23.2’ Like all systems requires normal environment: case of boy locked in a closet
Adrenal Gland Releases adrenaline into bloodstream during an emergency or thought of an emergency (speech) Breath rapidly, muscles tense up, sugar dumped into body for energy, armpits and feet sweet, clots blood in case we get cut
Thyroid Gland Pituitary signals the thyroid Thyroid controls metabolism Speed with which the body operates Active: can’t sit still, jumping around Underactive: sluggish Very slow: lead to mental retardation Related to the body breaking down food and converting it to energy
The Gonads Sex glands that make the sperm and egg Male : Androgen Female: Estrogen Everyone has both These hormones cause humans to look female or male
Ticket out the door What might happen if the glands described today were too active or not active enough