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Understanding Neurons and Hormonal Systems: The Brain's Building Blocks

This overview delves into the neural and hormonal systems, focusing on neurons as the fundamental units of the nervous system. Neurons are responsible for receiving, carrying, and passing information through structures like dendrites, soma, axons, and axon terminals. We explore the process of neural communication, including action potentials and synaptic transmission through neurotransmitters. Additionally, we examine the endocrine system, highlighting key glands like the pituitary and adrenal glands, and their roles in hormone production and regulation of bodily functions.

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Understanding Neurons and Hormonal Systems: The Brain's Building Blocks

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Neural and Hormonal Systems

  2. Neurons: The Building Blocks of the Nervous System • Nervous system – the body’s electrochemical system • Brain, spinal cord and nerves are formed by NEURONS • Neurons have 3 tasks: • 1. receive information • 2. carry information • 3. pass information

  3. Structure of a Neuron • Dendrite – branchy extensions that receive messages from other cells • Soma – cell body; contains nucleus and keeps cell healthy • Axon – passes messages away from cell body to other neurons, muscles, glands • Myelin Sheath – covers axon of neurons • Axon Terminals – points of departure; onto next neurons dendrites

  4. Neural Communication • The Neural Impulse – What are the steps taken when a neuron “fires”? • 1. action potential – brief, electrical charge that travels down the axon • 2. refractory period – “recharging” phase of a neuron; cannot fire just yet • 3. resting potential – neuron is capable and ready to generate another action potential

  5. How is neural impulse like flushing a toilet? • What is the action potential? • What is the refractory period? • What is the resting period? JUST LIKE A NEURON!!!!

  6. Communication Between Neurons • Neurons communicate with each without actually touching one another! • Synapse – fluid-filled gap between axon terminal of one neuron and dendrite of another • Neurotransmitter – chemical messengers that travel across synapse from one neuron to the next • Reuptake – sending neuron reabsorbs excess neurotransmitter molecules

  7. Other key terms: • Excitatory effect – neurotransmitter that likely generates an action potential • Inhibitory effect – neurotransmitter that likely does not generate an action potential • Sensory nerves – carry info to central nervous system • Motor nerves – carry info from central nervous system to muscles and glands

  8. Structure of the Nervous System

  9. Endocrine System • Endocrine system – set of glands that produce hormones, chemical messengers that circulate in the blood stream • Hormone – chemical messengers • Pituitary gland – “master gland” in brain; controls the other glands • Thyroid gland – regulates energy levels • Adrenal glands – help to arouse body in times of stress

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