Unit 2: Brain and body systems
EQ 1: What are the parts of a
neuron? 11/17
Bell Ringer
 Label and define different parts of
neuron: cell body, dendrites, axon,
myelin sheath, terminal branches
Create Pipe Cleaner neuron
EQ 2: How do neurons
communicate? 11/18
Bell ringer
Write an analogy for a
neuron/action potential
EX: Fist (neuron), fingers
(dendrites), and arm
(axon)
How do neurons communicate
reading and diagram
 First-read and annotate
 Second-draw diagram
 Third-answer questions
Mirror Neuron Video
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/mir
ror-neurons.html
What is a mirror neuron?
How do mirror neurons work/what
do they do?
Explain a time you think a mirror
neuron was working for you
EQ 3: What are the
effects of different
neurotransmitters?
11/19
Gallery walk of
neurotransmitters
 BR: Create a chart like the one below
Name of neuro
transmitter
Effects
Examples
Do you sometimes feel like the left picture
one day and the right picture another day??
Why?
Serotonin
 Serotonin - Serotonin is an
important neurotransmitter for
regulating mood, emotion and
anxiety. It also helps regulate
food cravings. Imbalances may
lead to mood swings,
depression and insomnia.
Some “Club Drugs” such as ecstasy
affect mood….why?
Example
Club Drugs flood brain with
serotonin so people feel a high
but when they wear off the
brain is deprived of serotonin
which can cause depression
Dopamine:
What do you think it influences??
Dopamine
Plays important role in how we
experience rewards from a variety
of natural sources- food, sex, and
drugs. Can impact addiction. Also
influences movement, learning,
attention, and emotion.
Use picture on other side as
example
Do you like to play sports? Dance? Why
do you think people like being active?
Acetylcholine
Enables muscle action, learning,
and memory
Undersupply or deteriorating
neurons can lead to Alzheimer’s
disease
Who wants Botox?
Botox
affects
Ach?
How do
you think
it works?
Example
Botulin is a poison which causes
paralysis by blocking Ach release
from the sending neuron
Botox smooths wrinkles by
paralyzing the underlying facial
muscles
How does the venom of a black
widow affect Ach? (effects:
vomiting, seizures)
Example
Venom causes a flood of
Ach which causes muscle
contractions, convulsions,
and possible death
GABA
Helps prevent the body from being
too excited and induce a more
relaxed or calm state.
If you have low levels of Gaba you
may feel anxiety, experience panic
attacks, experience mood swings,
insomnia, seizures. (no example)
Endorphins
Have you ever been severely
hurt but not felt the pain right
away?
Have you ever started
laughing from pain instead of
crying??
Endorphins
Natural opiate like neurotransmitters
linked to pain control and experience
of pleasure. Released in response to
pain and vigorous exercise.
Use questions on other side as
examples

Do you think it is possible for a person to lift a car
like Bubba Smith as Lt. Moses Hightower in the
comedy "Police Academy"?
Epinephrine
This is simply adrenaline. Vital to
the proper function of our body's
metabolism. Mental focus,
attention and awareness are all
impacted by epinephrine.
Use other side as example