3.1.2A Warmup

Identify whether each statement is a feature of a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator.

Groups:

(a) Neurotransmitter

,

(b) Neuromodulator

• They are effective on groups of neurons

• Their role is the transmission of chemical signals to the adjacent neuron.

• They are chemicals released by neurons to alter the effectiveness of neural transmission.

• They act moderately fast.

• Their role is to control the synthesis and release of neurotransmitters

• They are only released into the synapse.

Name the primary excitatory neurotransmitter.

Name the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter.

The correct sequence in which information travels along a neural pathway is...​ (a)   , ​ (b)   , ​ (c)   , ​ (d)   .

• dendrite
• axon
• synapse
• neurotransmitter
• neuromodulator
• soma
• myelin sheath

What functional change occurs in neurons when memories are formed?

• A decrease in the release of the main inhibitory neurotransmitter glutamate.

• An increase in the formation of dendritic spines to allow for easier communication between neurons.

• More neurotransmitters being produced and released by post-synaptic neurons, which act on the receptor sites of pre-synaptic neurons.

• More neurotransmitters being produced and released by pre-synaptic neurons, which act on the receptor sites of post-synaptic neurons.

Neuromodulators ____________.

• act at single synapses, effects are not localised, are slow acting, and make short lived neural changes

• affect many neurons at once, influence the effects of other chemical messengers, are slow acting, and make long lasting changes to neurons and synapses

• affect many neurons at once, effects are localised, are fast acting, and make long lasting neural changes

• act at single synapses, effects are localised, are fast acting, and make short lived neural changes

The spinal reflex is...

• the brain's survival response.

• a voluntary response to harmful stimuli.

• an automatic response that occurs in the spinal cord.

• a conscious response to external stimuli processed by the spinal cord.

What would be the impact on the transmission of neuronal messages if there was evidence of the thinning of dendrite branches?

• The neuron would not function properly and could die because dendrites provide energy for the cell.

• Electrical messages may become weaker because dendrites conduct electrical energy away from the cell body.

• Fewer neurotransmitters may be released into the synapse because dendrites contain vesicles holding neurotransmitters.

• The likelihood of the post-synaptic neuron being activated may decrease because dendrites receive the neurotransmitters from the synapse.

Each neural structure labelled 1 to 4 on the diagram above has a specific role during neural transmission.

Which of the following identifies the role of each neural structure for the labels 2 to 4?

a

c

d

receive

transmit

insulate

release

Did you complete the PLT? (Unit 3 AoS1 KKP2)?

• YES! :D

• No... :(