1. THE NEURON

2. NEURON
Neuron – brain cell that receives and transmits electrical signals throughout the nervous system.
Neurons control:
1. muscle movement,
2. digestion
3. engage us in thinking, dreaming, and remembering.

3. PARTS OF THE NEURON Dendrites: Receive messages from other neurons
Cell Body: Contains the nucleus
Nucleus: Contains chromosomes

4. PARTS OF THE NEURON Axon: takes messages away from the cell body
Myelin: white fatty substance that protects the axon and speeds messages along
Node of Ranvier: gaps in the myelin

5. PARTS OF THE NEURON
Axon Terminals: sends messages to the dendrites of the next neuron
Synapse: space between the neurons

6. NEUROTRANSMITTERS
specialize in transmitting information between neurons
Acetylcholine (ACh) involved in learning, memory, and muscle movement
People with Alzheimer’s often have trouble with Ach transmission. :

7. NEUROTRANSMITTERS high levels = Schizophrenia
Dopamine: impacts our arousal and mood states, thought processes, and physical movement
Low levels = Parkinson’s
high levels = Schizophrenia

8. NEUROTRANSMITTERS 1. pain perception 2. pain relief
Endorphins: are a group of neurotransmitters that are involved in:
1. pain perception
2. pain relief
Serotonin: is involved in arousal and mood, and plays a major role in mood disorders such as depression

9. NEUROTRANSMITTERS
GABA: Gamma-aminobutyric acid: is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system
Lack of GABA may contribute to epileptic seizures