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Neurotransmitters and the Endocrine System

Neurotransmitters and the Endocrine System. Chemical Messengers. Systems of Coordination. Animals have two systems of coordination, the nervous system and the endocrine system. The nervous system coordinates rapid responses to external stimuli.

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Neurotransmitters and the Endocrine System

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  1. Neurotransmitters and the Endocrine System Chemical Messengers

  2. Systems of Coordination • Animals have two systems of coordination, the nervous system and the endocrine system. • The nervous system coordinates rapid responses to external stimuli. • The endocrine system controls slower, longer lasting responses to internal stimuli. • Activity of both systems is integrated.

  3. Chemical messengers • 3 types of chemical messengers: • Neurotransmitters (NTs) • Come from Neurons • Endorphins • Various Sources • Hormones • Come from glands (the Endocrine System)

  4. Review: Synapse • What is a synapse? • A synapse is the “gap” between the axon of one nerve and the dendrite of the next one. • NT’s travel through the Synapse

  5. Review: Neurotransmitters • Chemical messengers released from neurons into the synapse • There are dozens of different neurotransmitters (NT) in the neurons of the body. • NTs can be either excitatory or inhibitory

  6. What happens to NTs after they give their signal? • They may return to their starting vesicles in the axon button – “reuptake” • They may be absorbed and broken down by the body

  7. Mnemonics for remembering our 4 NTs and 4 hormones • NTs: SAND = Serotonin, Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine • Hormones: COME = Cortisol, Oxytocin, Melatonin, Epinephrine

  8. 1. Serotonin • Important in mood, sleep, aggression, impulsive behavior, movement, appetite, perception, attention and learning. • In the spinal cord, serotonin is inhibitory in pain pathways. • Serotonin level is related to carbohydrate intake. • Undersupply linked to depression; Prozac raises serotonin levels

  9. 2. Acetylcholine (ACh) Controls motion; plays a role in attention & memory. Usually excitatory. Anything that interferes with acetylcholine will produce paralysis. Alzheimer’s Disease results from degeneration of the cells that produce acetylcholine.

  10. 3. Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) • Important in wakefulness, learning, and mood. • Can be excitatory or inhibitory. • Released during stress reactions (fight or flight; sympathetic nervous system) • Imbalance associated with depression.

  11. 4. Dopamine Important in movement, attention, learning and the regulation of emotional response. Necessary for the experience of reward/pleasure. Usually inhibitory Excess associated with schizophrenia; decrease associated with Parkinson’s Disease.

  12. Neural Communication Dopamine pathways Serotonin Pathways

  13. Endorphins Another chemical messenger Naturally occurring substances that act like morphine in the body. Reduce pain and increase pleasure. Some endorphins act as NTs, some act on NTs

  14. The Endocrine System (hormones) Endocrine System the body’s “slow” chemical communication system a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

  15. Hormones • Hormones act through the bloodstream, instead of being released by neurons • Hormones are slower but longer lasting than NTs

  16. Key Hormones

  17. A spider’s venom causes paralysis. The venom probably affects: • Serotonin • Endorphins • Norepinephrine • Acetylcholine

  18. Prozac increases the availability of serotonin in the brain. Prozac is a(n): A. Agonist B. Antagonist C. Neurotransmitter

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