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The Nervous System

The Nervous System. Katie Mears, Helen Zhang, Amanda Clark and Marina Guigli. Chemical Synapse. A specialized cell-to-cell junction where nerve impulse is transmitted in one direction, from a neuron to another neuron to a non-neuronal cell (1). Synapse- the small gap where 

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The Nervous System

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  1. The Nervous System Katie Mears, Helen Zhang, Amanda Clark and Marina Guigli

  2. Chemical Synapse A specialized cell-to-cell junction where nerve impulse is transmitted in one direction, from a neuron to another neuron to a non-neuronal cell (1). Synapse- the small gap where  communication of information between  neurons is accomplished by movement  of chemicals across (2)

  3. Electrical Energy --> Chemical Energy A patch of membrane is richly endowed with voltage-sensitive gated channels for calcium ions (this is where the electrical energy comes from). This is where a certain amount of change in the voltage difference across the plasma membrane triggers an action potential (chemical energy). The stimulus causes positively charged calcium ions to flow across the membrane into the neuron. With the ions present, the cytoplasmic side of the membrane becomes less negative, which causes more gates to open and more calcium to enter. (4) Metaphor: A person only speaks English, so when someone else tries to speak to them in Spanish, they are not understood. In order to translate the message to the person who only speaks English, it it necessary to convert Spanish (which represents electrical energy) to English (which represents chemical energy), so the message is understood. chemical synapse animation (8)

  4. Why is this important? • In converting the electrical signal into chemical signal, the neuron can send this signal through the axon to the adjacent neuron, which it can process and use to carry out its function. Likewise, if the electrical signal were not converted, the adjacent neuron would not be able to understand the signal, thus, sending the signal would be meaningless. • AKA: communication made possible between neurons and the nerve • This is like what the mitochondria does in an animal cell--it converts organic compounds into chemical energy (ATP), something that the cell can process to also carry out its function (4)

  5. Neurotransmitter What are neurotransmitters? Chemical substances that transmit nerve impulses across a synapse to a post synaptic element, nerve, muscle, or gland. (4)

  6. How Neurotransmitters Work The neuron sends a chemical signal down its axon. These signals are released through the synaptic membrane by exocytosis. Receptors on an adjacent neuron receive these neurotransmitters which are then removed from the synapse by reuptake transmitters, endocytosis or by being broken down by enzymes.(3)

  7. Dopamine Where is it found? -Both vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems (3) -Neurons containing the neurotransmitter dopamine are clustered in the midbrain in an area called the substantia nigra (6) What is it's function? -It regulates mood, and in many ways, personality, in humans (3) -Regulation of dopamine plays a crucial role in our mental and physical health (7) Examples of Neurotransmitters

  8. Examples of Neurotransmitters Acetylcholine Where is it found? -Both vertebrate and invertebrate  nervous systems (3) -It is found in the synaptic vesicles  in the axon terminals of motor neurons. (7) What is it's function? -When released at a nerve/muscle  junction, causes depolarization of the  membrane surrounding the muscle,  triggering the release of calcium ions that  then causes the muscle to contract (3) -In the peripheral nervous system,  acetylcholine activates muscles, and is a  major neurotransmitter in the autonomic nervous system.(7) -Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is mostly used to make muscles contract (7)

  9. References (1)Lovespell. "Chemical synapse - definition from Biology-Online.org." Life Science Reference - Biology Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/chemical_synapse>. (2)Neuroscience For Kids - neurotransmitters ." UW Faculty Web Server . N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chnt1.html>. (3)Gilbert, Joanna . "Neurotransmitters." Biology Mad. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2010. <http://www.biologymad.com/NervousSystem/synapses.htm (4)Starr, Cecie, and Ralph Taggart. Biology The Unity and Diversity of Life. 9th ed. Australia: Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning, 2001. Print (5) "Graphics Gallery: An Antibody Molecule." Access Excellence @ the National Health Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010.<http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/VL/GG/ecb/electrical_chemical_conversion.php>. (6)" Understanding Addiction ."The University of Texas at Austin - Web Central. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://www.utexas.edu/research/asrec/dopamine.html>. (7)"Neurotransmitters." My Webspace files. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/genpsyneurotransmitters.html>. (8)"Animation: Chemical Synapse (Quiz 1)." Your Page Title. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2010. <http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072495855/student

  10. Thanks! Questions?

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