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Associate Level Material

Appendix C

Brain Response of Behavior

Part I

Note: Parts II and III follow below, complete all three.

Write a 350- to 700-word response to the following: Explain the communication process of neurons in the brain. List some common neurotransmitters and describe their effect on behavior.

The brain contains over 100 billion neurons and varies in size and shape but all are specialized to receive and transmit information. Each neuron is made up of 3 parts which are the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane. Each neuron has fibers that extend from the cell to the body and fibers that extend are dendrites. The dendrites pick up the incoming messages and transmit the messages to the cell body. The long fibers that extend are called axon which carries outgoing messages to the neighboring neurons, glands, and muscles. The axon is covered with myelin sheath that provides an insulation to signal to help increase speed of the signal. Once an incoming message stimulates the cell membrane it has an electrical charge which causes the impulse to travel to the terminal button. Once the terminal button has been reached a release of chemicals by the name of neurotransmitters is released. Some neurotransmitters that consist in the brain are: Acetylcholine that plays the role of arousal, memory, attention, and movement. Dopamine affects voluntary movement, learning, memory, and emotions. Glutamate consists of long term memory and pain and Serotonin consists of regulation of sleep, mood, pain, and aggressive behavior. The information transmitted between the neurons is passed by the synapse which bridges the gap between the neurons. Once the neurotransmitters are released they must go through the terminal button to process the message to the dendrite which is the receiver of the message. This distance is called the synaptic cleft and a neurotransmitter can not just pass the synaptic cleft. The message must be received by the presynaptic neuron...