AP PsychologyName:

Period:

Neural Transmission

Learning Targets:

1. Identify & describe the functions of the parts of a neuron

2. Explain the process of neural transmissions

3. Explain the roles of neurotransmitters in neural transmission

Part I: Neural Transmission

Part II: Neural Transmission Extension Activity

1) Draw a Mad, Mad Neuron

Access the following website complete the activity and answer the questions below.

a) What was your score? Are you worthy of becoming a mad scientist apprentice?

At the end of the animation, your neuron conducted an electrical impulse. Answer the following questions based on what we learned yesterday in class.

b) At rest, was the neuron positively or negatively charged?

c) What is the name of the electrical impulse?

2) Neural Transmission between Neurons: Examine the process of neural transmission by accessing the following web site and answer the questions below:

a) Neurotransmission occurs between the ______of one neuron and the ______of another.

b) At the synapse, information is transmitted from one neuron to another via what kind of messengers?

c) Why are chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, needed to get information across the synapse?

d) Write a one sentence summary describing the process of neural transmission between neurons.

3) Meet “Neurotransmitters”: Complete the following chart about neurotransmitters using the following website: I included some additional information as necessary.

Neurotransmitter / Function / Too Much / Too Little
Acetylcholine / Alzheimer’s
Dopamine / Movement, attention, learning & emotion / Depression
Parkinson’s Disease
Norepinephrine / Eating, alertness (fight or flight)
Serotonin / Depression
Some anxiety disorders/OCD
GABA / Panic attacks and stress / Anxiety, Seizures, Tremors and Insomnia
Glutamate / Major excitatory NT, involved in memory / Migraines & seizures

4) Your Brain on Drugs: Log on to and observe the Mouse Party. Fill in the table below, creating a sketch that summarizes the action of ONE drug in the “Summary Illustration” Column. For example,

Drug (Choose ONE) / Neurotransmitter Involved / Action of Drug / Summary Illustration