1. Neurons and Neurotransmitters

2. The brain

3. Neurons Neurons are the basic unit of the nervous system
They use electro-chemical means to conduct electrical impulses
There are about 100 billion neurons in the CNS

5. Three main types of neurons
Sensory neurons
Transmit information from the sensory receptors to the CNS
Interneurons
Connect sensory neurons to motor neurons in the spinal cord
Motor neurons
Send information from the CNS to muscles and glands

6. Withdrawal Reflex Figure 2.5B from:
Kassin, S. (2001). Psychology, third edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

7. How neurons work Neurons: receive conduct & transmit
electrical impulses using electro-chemical processes
Electro-chemistry is the production of electricity through chemical reactions
In simple terms:
Electricity is the movement of electrons
Electro-chemistry is the movement of ions

8. Dendrites of another neuron
Neurons: anatomy
Cell body
Dendrites
Axon
Myelin sheath
Dendrites of another neuron
Axon of another neuron

9. Action Potential
The electro-chemical transmission of an electrical impulse through the neuron is called an action potential
The dendrites receive the impulse from the axon of the previous neuron
The action potential is then conducted to the cell body and down the axon
It is then transmitted to the dendrites of the next neuron

10. NEURONS 3. 1. 2.
Figure 2.6 from:
Kassin, S. (2001). Psychology, third edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Source:
Neurons = 3 functions: reception, conduction, transmission

11. The synapse
The axon of one neuron connects to the dendrites of the next neuron
There is a space in between the axon of the first neuron and the dendrites of the next one
This space is called the synapse
A nerve impulse travels from the dendrites, through the cell body, the axon, across the synapse and into the dendrites of the next neuron

13. neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry the action potential across the synapse
There are different types of neurotransmitters, but each works in the same way

15. Myelin Sheath FUNCTION Insulates the axon
Allows for rapid movement of the action potential along the axon