11/29/2022

NEUROBIOLOGICAL BASES
OF BEHAVIOR 1.
Neurons and Glial Cells, Synapses,
Neurotransmitters, and Action Potential
DIVISIONS OF THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM

Want big impact? 4

USE BIG IMAGE.

2.
NEURONS, SYNAPSES,
NEUROTRANSMITTERS, GLIAL
CELLS

Classification of Neurons
SENSORY NEURONS
• get info about what’s going on
inside and outside of the body
and bring that info into the
Central NS so it can be processed.
MOTOR NEURONS
• get info from other neurons and
convey commands to muscles,
organs and glands
Classification of Neurons
UNIPOLAR
• characterized by one primary
projection that serves as both the
axon and the dendrites
• Unipolar neurons are typically
sensory neurons with receptors
located within the skin, joints,
muscles, and internal organs.
11/29/2022
5 Classification of Neurons 6
INTERNEURONS
• found only in the Central NS
• connect one neuron to another
• receive info from other neurons
and transmit info to other
neurons
• most numerous; involved in
processing info
7 Classification of Neurons 8
BIPOLAR
• have axons that transmit signals
from the cell body going to the
brain and the spinal cord, and
dendrites that send signals from
the body organs to the cell body
• relatively rare (receptor organs of
visual and auditory systems)
 11/29/2022

Classification of Neurons 9 Basic Functions of a Neuron 10

1. Receive signals (or info)

MULTIPOLAR 2. Integrate incoming signals (to
• has a cell body, a long axon, and determine whether or not the info
short dendrites should be passed along)
• motor neurons and interneurons 3. Communicate signals to target
are mostly multipolar cells (other neurons or muscles or
glands)

Parts of a Neuron 11 Parts of a Neuron 12

DENDRITES AXON
• receives messages from other • a fiber attached to the soma
cells • carries messages to other cells
• attached to the cell body of soma MYELIN SHEATH
CELL BODY or SOMA • the insulating substance that
• contains the nucleus and keeps covers the axon
the entire cell alive and • offers a little protection from
functioning damage and speeds up the neural
message traveling down the axon
 11/29/2022

Parts of a Neuron 13 Parts of a Neuron 14

NODES of RANVIER SYNAPTIC KNOBS

• periodic gaps in the myelin
sheath on the axon that facilitates
rapid conduction of nerve
impulses
AXON TERMINALS
• long, slender nerve fibers that
conduct electrical signals to a
nerve synapse
• sometimes called the terminal
buttons
• knobs found at the tips of the
axon terminals
• has a number of little saclike
structures in it called the synaptic
vesicles which contain chemicals

Synapse 15 Synaptic Connections 16

SYNAPSE NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTIONS

• neuron-to-neuron connections • the synaptic connections
made onto the dendrites and cell between neurons and skeletal
bodies of other neurons. muscle cells
• the sites at which information is NEUROEFFECTOR JUNCTIONS
carried from the first neuron, the • the synaptic connections
presynaptic neuron, to the between neurons and smooth
target neuron, the postsynaptic muscle cells or glands
neuron.
 11/29/2022

Neurotransmitters 17 Neurotransmitters 18

• are chemical messengers in the AGONISTS ANTAGONISTS

body
• transmit signals from nerve cells
to target cells (muscles, glands,
other nerves)
• types of action: excitatory and
inhibitory
are chemical substances that
can mimic or enhance the
effects of a neurotransmitter
on the receptor sites of the cell
which results to an increase or
decrease in the activity of that
receiving cell
are chemical substances that
block or reduce a cell’s
response to the action of other
chemicals or
neurotransmitters
Example: beta-blockers that
control high blood pressure

Neurotransmitters 19 Neurotransmitters 20

ACETYLCHOLINE DOPAMINE
• triggers muscle contractions • important in memory, learning,
• stimulates some hormones behavior, and movement
coordination
• controls heartbeat
• pleasure or reward
• important role in brain function
neurotransmitter
and memory
• Both excitatory and inhibitory
• excitatory
 11/29/2022

Neurotransmitters 21 Neurotransmitters 22

ENDORPHINS EPINEPHRINE (ADRENALINE)

• inhibit pain signals and create an
energized, euphoric feeling
• body’s natural pain relievers
• inhibitory
• “runner’s high” and laughter –
release of endorphins
• involved in the body’s “fight or
flight” response – released into
the bloodstream to prepare your
body for dangerous situations by
increasing heart rate, BP, glucose
production
• Both a hormone and an excitatory
neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitters 23 Neurotransmitters 24

GABA SEROTONIN
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid • helps regulate mood, appetite,
• mood regulator; has an inhibitory blood clotting, sleep, and the
action which stops neurons from body’s circadian rhythm
being overexcited • inhibitory
• regulates sleep-wake cycles • plays a roles in depression and
• inhibitory anxiety – SSRIs can relieve
depression by increasing
serotonin levels
 11/29/2022

Neurotransmitters 25
ACTION POTENTIAL 26

GLUTAMATE » Neuron is excited into firing an impulse (incoming signals

• involved in learning and long-term may be excitatory or inhibitory).
memory » The nerve impulse (or action potential) is conducted
• excitatory down the axon and reaches the axon terminals which
• overstimulation: migraines and triggers the release of neurotransmitters from the
seizures presynaptic cell.
» Neurotransmitters bind to membrane receptors on the
postsynaptic cell, conveying an excitatory or inhibitory
signal.

REUPTAKE 27 Glial Cells 28

» This is the process where • grey fatty cells that provide

neurotransmitters have to get support for the neurons to grow
out of the receptor sites on and around, deliver nutrients
before the next stimulation to neuron, produce myelin to
coat axons, and clean up waste
can occur and end up back in
products and dead neurons
the synaptic vesicles.
• play a supporting role
» Reabsorption, recycling
• there are many more glial cells in
the brain than there are neurons.
 11/29/2022

Glial Cells 29 Glial Cells 30

ASTROCYTES MICROGLIA
• most numerous type • related to the macrophages of the
• help regulate blood flow in the immune system
brain, maintain the composition • act as scavengers to remove dead
of the fluid that surrounds cells and other debris
neurons, and regulate
communication between neurons
at the synapse
• Contribute to the formation of the
blood-brain barrier

Glial Cells 31 Glial Cells 32

OLIGODENDROCYTES SCHWANN CELLS

• produce myelin that insulates the
axons by forming a sheath
• myelin dramatically increases the
speed in which an action
potential travels down the axon
and it plays a crucial role in NS
function
• share a similar function with
Oligodendrocytes
SATELLITE GLIAL CELLS
• cover the cell bodies of neurons
in PNS ganglia
• thought to support the function
of neurons and might act as a
protective barrier
 11/29/2022

Glial Cells 33 CREDITS 34

EPENDYMAL CELLS » https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326649#summary

• line the ventricles of the brain and » https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/human-biology/neuron-nervous-
the central canal of the spinal system/a/overview-of-neuron-structure-and-function
cord » https://www.albert.io/blog/ultimate-guide-neurotransmitters-ap-psychology/
• have hairlike cilia that beat in
rhythmic waves to promote
circulation of the cerebrospinal
fluid found inside the ventricles
and spinal canal