1. Neurons, Neural Processing, and Neurotransmitters

2. “Everything psychological is simultaneously biological.” Advancements in neuroscience have helped us to understand the role the brain plays in our thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

3. Phrenology German Franz Gall 1800’s Bumps in the skull are indicators of cognitive ability (false) Different parts of the brain are responsible for different tasks (true)

4. A human is a system composed of subsystems cells organs individual family culture community

5. What are neurons and how do they communicate?

6. NEURAL COMMUNICATION neurons – the body’s building blocks sensory neurons – carry messages to the brain (a few million) motor neurons – receive messages from the brain (a few million) interneurons – connect and process information between sensory and motor neurons (multiple billions) Example: Dave touches a hot stove. Sensory neurons in his finger tips carry the message to the brain that says, “TOO HOT!” The brain then sends messages to the motor neurons that says, “Take your hand off the stove!” See Khan Academy Video Clip & Fill in Neuron Diagram

7. PARTS OF A NEURON See Neuron Diagram worksheet.

9. Neurotransmitters chemical messengers that travel through neurons.

10. Synapse / Synaptic Gap Space between the axon terminal and the dendrite. (1 millionth of an inch)

12. How do neurotransmitters influence behavior?

13. Well Known Neurotransmitters Acetylcholine (Uh-seet-l-koh-leen) Dopamine (doh-puh-meen) Serotonin (ser-uh-toh-nin) Epinephrine (ep-uh-nef-rin) Norepinephrine (nawr-ep-uh-nef-rin) Gamma-aminobutyric Glutamate (gloo-tuh-meyt) Endorphin (en-dawr-fin) Fill out “Neurotransmitters Chart”

14. How do Drugs and Other Chemicals Alter Neurotransmission? See “Your Brain on Cocaine”