Neurons & Neurotransmitters

The goal for today was for students to understand the parts of a neuron and understand how signals are transported between neurons.

The major concept for today was: Neurons convey information using electrical and chemical signals.

After reviewing the homework, we moved on to what a neuron looks like and how signals are transported between neurons.Click the picture above to link to the animation that describes the role that electrical and chemical signals and the transmission of signals between neurons.Click the picture above to see how neurotransmitters influence the electrical activity in neurons.

Homework:
Click on the picture below to link to the animation. You should skip Case A because it doesn't seem that the animation is working properly. You should practice with Cases B, C and D. In order to be successful with this you need the following information:

Dopamine: The neurotransmitter that produces feelings of pleasure when released by the brain in the reward system. Dopamine is inhibitory.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid): The major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

Glutamate: the most common excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.