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- Neurotransmitters Worksheet

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that facilitate communication between neurons, influencing various bodily functions such as heart rate, sleep, and mood. Neurons consist of several parts including the cell body, axon, and dendrites, and communicate across a gap called a synapse through neurotransmission. The process involves neurotransmitters being released from the axon terminal, which can either excite or inhibit the receiving neuron, with reuptake allowing the neuron to reclaim neurotransmitters after signaling.

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4 views2 pages

- Neurotransmitters Worksheet

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that facilitate communication between neurons, influencing various bodily functions such as heart rate, sleep, and mood. Neurons consist of several parts including the cell body, axon, and dendrites, and communicate across a gap called a synapse through neurotransmission. The process involves neurotransmitters being released from the axon terminal, which can either excite or inhibit the receiving neuron, with reuptake allowing the neuron to reclaim neurotransmitters after signaling.

Uploaded by

neyda Suazo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Neurons and Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemical


messengers of our body that help
carry, balance, or boost the signals
between our neurons or nerve cells.
These messengers allow us to function
physically and psychologically as it
assists with our heart rate, sleep,
hunger, mood, and fears. Billions of
neurotransmitter molecules are
continually working to keep our brain
functioning and our hearts going.

Our neurons have numerous parts. The


cell body carries all of the genetic information, provides energy, and helps to
keep the neuron’s structure. The axon, which is the long tail-like part of the
neuron, is insulated by the myelin sheath, or a fatty substance that protects
it. Together the myelin and axon conduct electrical signals. Dendrites branch
out and often look like a root system. It receives and processes signals from
the axon or from other neurons.

Neurons need some assistance to communicate and send signals to other


neurons as they are not directly connected. A gap, known as a synapse, lies
at the end of each neuron. The process of sending a signal across this small
space is known as neurotransmission.

Neurotransmitters are housed in the part of the neuron that is known as the
axon terminal button. When the neuron is not sending out a signal or “firing,”
it is at its resting potential; however, when a neuron is signaled by a
neurotransmitter to send a signal it will then lead to an action potential. An
impulse will be sent down the axon of the neuron away from the cell body
where it will then trigger the release of small sacs that are called vesicles.
These sacs then spill their chemicals into the synapse where the
neurotransmitters then move across the gap to the next neuron and attach
to the receptor site. This will either then excite or inhibit the receiving neuron
depending on what type of neurotransmitter was released.

When a neurotransmitter causes an electrical signal to be sent down a cell it


is known as excitatory. If the
neurotransmitter blocks the signal from
moving on, then it is known as an
inhibitory. After the signal has been
sent, the axon of the neuron can take
back the neurotransmitter in a process
known as reuptake.
Neurons and Neurotransmitters
Directions: Label all of the parts of the neuron below. Then, answer the
following questions based on the article on the previous page.Please locate
and label the following: Nucleus, cell body, Schwann cell, dendrite, axon, axon
terminal, Node of Ranvier, and the myelin sheath.

Answers for Parts of the Neuron:


1 1
2 2
3
3
4
4 5
6
5 7
8
6

1. What are neurotransmitters? How do they help us?

Answer Here…

2. What is the myelin sheath and how does it work together with the
axon?

Answer Here…

3. What happens when a neuron is signaled by a neurotransmitter to


send a signal? What is the process?

Answer Here…

4. What is it called when a neurotransmitter blocks a signal from moving


on?

Answer Here…

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