{"id":181,"date":"2023-02-17T22:37:13","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T22:37:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/3-1-fresh-take\/"},"modified":"2024-01-30T14:54:21","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T14:54:21","slug":"3-1-fresh-take","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/3-1-fresh-take\/","title":{"raw":"The Nervous System: Fresh Take","rendered":"The Nervous System: Fresh Take"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Describe the central nervous system<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Describe the structure and function of a neuron<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Describe how neurons communicate with each other<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Understand how neurotransmitters work and how drugs affect neurotransmitter systems<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2>Neuron Structure and Function<\/h2>\r\n<p>If we were able to magnify a view of individual neurons we would see that they are cells made from distinct parts. The three main components of a neuron are the dendrites, the soma, and the axon. Neurons communicate with one another by receiving information through the dendrites, which act as an antenna. When the dendrites channel this information to the soma, or cell body, it builds up as an electrochemical signal. This electrical part of the signal, called an action potential shoots down the axon, a long tail that leads away from the soma and toward the next neuron. When people talk about \u201cnerves\u201d in the nervous system, it typically refers to bundles of axons that form long neural wires along which electrical signals can travel. Cell-to-cell communication is helped by the fact that the axon is covered by a myelin sheath\u2014a layer of fatty cells that allow the signal to travel very rapidly from neuron to neuron (Kandel, Schwartz &amp; Jessell, 2000)<\/p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1939\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"663\"]<img class=\"wp-image-1939 \" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5837\/2022\/10\/06160145\/neuronparts.png\" alt=\"Diagram of two neurons with parts labeled - dendrites, nucleus, soma, axon, (pathway of) action potential, nodes of Ranvier, myelin sheath and synapse.\" width=\"663\" height=\"345\" \/> <strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. The parts of a neuron[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">Watch this summary of neuron structure and action potentials:<iframe src=\"\/\/plugin.3playmedia.com\/show?mf=10498118&amp;p3sdk_version=1.10.1&amp;p=20361&amp;pt=375&amp;video_id=FPLV0ORgCbE&amp;video_target=tpm-plugin-6jozpblt-FPLV0ORgCbE\" width=\"800px\" height=\"450px\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0px\" marginheight=\"0px\"><\/iframe>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">You can view the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+Psych\/The+Parts+of+the+Neuron.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">transcript for \u201cThe Parts of the Neuron\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<p>If we were to zoom in still further we could take a closer look at the synapse, the space between neurons. Here, we would see that there is a space between neurons, called the synaptic gap. To give you a sense of scale we can compare the synaptic gap to the thickness of a dime, the thinnest of all American coins (about 1.35 mm). You could stack approximately 70,000 synaptic gaps in the thickness of a single coin!<\/p>\r\n<h2>Neuron Communication<\/h2>\r\n<p>As the action potential, the electrical signal reaches the end of the axon, tiny packets of chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are released. This is the chemical part of the electro-chemical signal. These neurotransmitters are the chemical signals that travel from one neuron to another, enabling them to communicate with one another. There are many different types of neurotransmitters and each has a specialized function. For example, serotonin affects sleep, hunger and mood. Dopamine is associated with attention, learning and pleasure (Kandel &amp; Schwartz, 1982).<\/p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1940\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"440\"]<img class=\"wp-image-1940 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5837\/2022\/10\/06160223\/synapse.png\" alt=\"A display of how neurons communicate using neurotransmitters. It shows vesicles on one end of a dendrite with a synaptic gap and neurotransmitters moving through the space to the receptor site.\" width=\"440\" height=\"292\" \/> <strong>Figure 2<\/strong>: A view of the synapse between neurons.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">\r\n<p>Watch the following\u00a0video to see how neurons communicate within the body.<\/p>\r\n<p>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uU_4uA6-zcE#t=64<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">You can <a href=\"https:\/\/oerfiles.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Psychology\/Transcriptions\/HowDoNervesWorkElliotKrane.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">view the transcript for \"How do nerves work? - Elliot Krane\" here (opens in new window)<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section><\/section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">\r\n<p>Watch the following\u00a0video to see how neurons communicate within the body.<\/p>\r\n<p>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=W4N-7AlzK7s<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">You can\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/oerfiles.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Psychology\/Transcriptions\/TheChemicalMindCrashCoursePsychology3.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">view the transcript for \"The Chemical Mind: Crash Course Psychology #3\" here (opens in new window)<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\n<ul>\n<li>Describe the central nervous system<\/li>\n<li>Describe the structure and function of a neuron<\/li>\n<li>Describe how neurons communicate with each other<\/li>\n<li>Understand how neurotransmitters work and how drugs affect neurotransmitter systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Neuron Structure and Function<\/h2>\n<p>If we were able to magnify a view of individual neurons we would see that they are cells made from distinct parts. The three main components of a neuron are the dendrites, the soma, and the axon. Neurons communicate with one another by receiving information through the dendrites, which act as an antenna. When the dendrites channel this information to the soma, or cell body, it builds up as an electrochemical signal. This electrical part of the signal, called an action potential shoots down the axon, a long tail that leads away from the soma and toward the next neuron. When people talk about \u201cnerves\u201d in the nervous system, it typically refers to bundles of axons that form long neural wires along which electrical signals can travel. Cell-to-cell communication is helped by the fact that the axon is covered by a myelin sheath\u2014a layer of fatty cells that allow the signal to travel very rapidly from neuron to neuron (Kandel, Schwartz &amp; Jessell, 2000)<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1939\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1939\" style=\"width: 663px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1939\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5837\/2022\/10\/06160145\/neuronparts.png\" alt=\"Diagram of two neurons with parts labeled - dendrites, nucleus, soma, axon, (pathway of) action potential, nodes of Ranvier, myelin sheath and synapse.\" width=\"663\" height=\"345\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1939\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. The parts of a neuron<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">Watch this summary of neuron structure and action potentials:<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/plugin.3playmedia.com\/show?mf=10498118&amp;p3sdk_version=1.10.1&amp;p=20361&amp;pt=375&amp;video_id=FPLV0ORgCbE&amp;video_target=tpm-plugin-6jozpblt-FPLV0ORgCbE\" width=\"800px\" height=\"450px\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0px\" marginheight=\"0px\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">You can view the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+Psych\/The+Parts+of+the+Neuron.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">transcript for \u201cThe Parts of the Neuron\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>If we were to zoom in still further we could take a closer look at the synapse, the space between neurons. Here, we would see that there is a space between neurons, called the synaptic gap. To give you a sense of scale we can compare the synaptic gap to the thickness of a dime, the thinnest of all American coins (about 1.35 mm). You could stack approximately 70,000 synaptic gaps in the thickness of a single coin!<\/p>\n<h2>Neuron Communication<\/h2>\n<p>As the action potential, the electrical signal reaches the end of the axon, tiny packets of chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are released. This is the chemical part of the electro-chemical signal. These neurotransmitters are the chemical signals that travel from one neuron to another, enabling them to communicate with one another. There are many different types of neurotransmitters and each has a specialized function. For example, serotonin affects sleep, hunger and mood. Dopamine is associated with attention, learning and pleasure (Kandel &amp; Schwartz, 1982).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1940\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1940\" style=\"width: 440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1940 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5837\/2022\/10\/06160223\/synapse.png\" alt=\"A display of how neurons communicate using neurotransmitters. It shows vesicles on one end of a dendrite with a synaptic gap and neurotransmitters moving through the space to the receptor site.\" width=\"440\" height=\"292\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1940\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 2<\/strong>: A view of the synapse between neurons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section>\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">\n<p>Watch the following\u00a0video to see how neurons communicate within the body.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-1\" title=\"How do nerves work? - Elliot Krane\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uU_4uA6-zcE?start=64&#38;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">You can <a href=\"https:\/\/oerfiles.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Psychology\/Transcriptions\/HowDoNervesWorkElliotKrane.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">view the transcript for &#8220;How do nerves work? &#8211; Elliot Krane&#8221; here (opens in new window)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section><\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox watchIt\">\n<p>Watch the following\u00a0video to see how neurons communicate within the body.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-2\" title=\"The Chemical Mind: Crash Course Psychology #3\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/W4N-7AlzK7s?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">You can\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/oerfiles.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Psychology\/Transcriptions\/TheChemicalMindCrashCoursePsychology3.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">view the transcript for &#8220;The Chemical Mind: Crash Course Psychology #3&#8221; here (opens in new window)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"menu_order":9,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"The Chemical Mind - Crash Course Psychology #3\",\"author\":\"Hank Green\",\"organization\":\"Crash Course\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=W4N-7AlzK7s\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard Youtube License\"},{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"How do nerves work? \",\"author\":\"Elliot Krane\",\"organization\":\"TedEd\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uU_4uA6-zcE#t=64\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"arr\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube License\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"The Brain and Nervous System  \",\"author\":\"Robert Biswas-Diener \",\"organization\":\"Portland State University\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nobaproject.com\/modules\/the-brain-and-nervous-system\",\"project\":\"The Noba Project\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"copyrighted_video\",\"description\":\"The Parts of a Neuron\",\"author\":\"Lisa Dierker\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FPLV0ORgCbE&list=PL2fQHGEDK7YyqWAeniLrwsms86E3gWH2C&t=3s\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"other\",\"license_terms\":\"Standard YouTube License\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":210,"module-header":"fresh_take","content_attributions":[{"type":"copyrighted_video","description":"The Chemical Mind - Crash Course Psychology #3","author":"Hank Green","organization":"Crash Course","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=W4N-7AlzK7s","project":"","license":"arr","license_terms":"Standard Youtube License"},{"type":"copyrighted_video","description":"How do nerves work? 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