Neurotransmitter

A neurotransmitter is a chemical substance that is released at the end of a nerve fiber when a nerve impulse arrives. It then travels across the synapse and causes the transfer of the impulse to another nerve fiber, a muscle fiber, or some other structure.

Structure and Function

Neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles at the ends of axons and are released when the nerve impulse reaches the synapse. They then bind to receptors on the membrane of the target cell, leading to changes in the electrical potential of the target cell. This can either excite the target cell, making it more likely to generate an action potential, or inhibit it, making it less likely to generate an action potential.

Types of Neurotransmitters

There are several different types of neurotransmitters, each with its own specific functions and effects on the body. Some common neurotransmitters include:

Acetylcholine: Plays a role in muscle movement, learning, and memory.
Dopamine: Involved in motivation, reward, and motor control.
Serotonin: Regulates mood, appetite, and sleep.
GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid): Acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, reducing the activity of the neurons to which it binds.
Glutamate: Acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter, enhancing the activity of the neurons to which it binds.

Importance in the Nervous System

Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the functioning of the nervous system. They are involved in a wide range of physiological processes, including motor control, sensory perception, emotional regulation, and cognitive function. Imbalances in neurotransmitter levels have been linked to various neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, depression, and schizophrenia.

Study Guide

When studying neurotransmitters, it's important to understand the following key points:

Definition of neurotransmitter and its role in signal transmission
Structure and function of neurotransmitters
Types of neurotransmitters and their specific functions
Importance of neurotransmitters in the nervous system
Relationship between neurotransmitter imbalances and neurological/psychiatric disorders

Additionally, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with specific examples of neurotransmitters, their mechanisms of action, and the disorders associated with their dysregulation.

Understanding neurotransmitters is essential for grasping the complexities of the nervous system and its role in controlling various bodily functions and behaviors.

◂Chemistry Worksheets and Study Guides High School. The Science of Chemistry

Worksheet/Answer key

The Science of Chemistry

Worksheet/Answer key

The Science of Chemistry

Worksheet/Answer key

The Science of Chemistry

The resources above cover the following skills:

Nature of Science

The Practice of Science - A: Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity; The processes of science include the formulation of scientifically investigable questions, construction of investigations into those questions, the collection of appropriate data, the evaluation of the meaning of those data, and the communication of this evaluation. B: The processes of science frequently do not correspond to the traditional portrayal of ''the scientific method.'' C: Scientific argumentation is a necessary part of scientific inquiry and plays an important role in the generation and validation of scientific knowledge. D: Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference; it is important to recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require creativity in its methods and processes, but also in its questions and explanations.

Define a problem based on a specific body of knowledge, for example: biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/space science, and do the following:

Use tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data (this includes the use of measurement in metric and other systems, and also the generation and interpretation of graphical representations of data, including data tables and graphs)