WEEK 1 Class Overview /// Nuerotransmitters!!!

After week one it was definitely time for a little review from A&P 1. We did start right where we left off though at neurons, and neurotransmitters woohooo.

Some things I learned in our first week was for sure how the class was going to go over which included homework assignments, quizzes, projects, etc. We are only required to buy one book (Anatomy and Physiology: From Science to Life, 2007), but recommended is Physiology Coloring Book, Mosby's Medical, Nursing and Allied Heath Dictionary, and Netter, Atlas of Anatomy.

For a little review I got refreshed about Ions, both sodium and potassium. Cations are postively charged and responsible for putting cells to rest. Sodium Ions are responsible for exciting cells. Both sodium and potassium are +1 charge.

Afferent means toward. Efferent means away from. Afferent is the sensory in nervous system versus efferent being the motar in the nervous system. When talking about the Brain and the Spinal Cord that means talking about the CNS or Central Nervous System. Nerves are collections of axons. Nerves are like highways, different highways have different targets, just like nerves.

Nuerons produce nuerotransmitters. MMJ nuerotransmitter is Ach. Ach is released onto muscle at the MMJ. Every nueron makes a certain nuerotransmitter. Examples of nerotransmitters are saratonin, acycholine, and dopine.

Dendrites have receptors deeply embeded to receive nurotransmitters. Nuerotransmitters are proteins, and receptors. Each protein has its own unique shape / function. Receptors can be multitaskers and bind to more than one nuerotransmitter.

Nuerotransmitters have three different stages, resting state, Inactive, and Resting Potential. Resting State is -70 mv. Once it gets to -55mv it is determined as action potential threshold and there is no turning back, all or nothing.

In the resting state the channel has a gate. The receptor is the gate, and when the Nuerotransmitter binds to the receptor/gate the gate opens and floods with sodium ions !!! This is called DEPOLARIZATION!!! Decrease in charged nuerotransmitters is known as REPOLARIZATION. Whenever it goes under -70mv for a brief second it is known as HYPERPOLARIZATION.