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The nervous system and the endocrine system : MASSOLIT
Lesson 1: Synaptic transmission
Information along a neuron is mostly electrical however transmission between the neuron and after the
muscle or gland is a chemical way of conveying information
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One this happens, the vesicles migrate to the tip of the
terminal button and fuse with the membrane of the terminal button and whilst doing so they spill their
contents into synaptic cleft
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On the dendrites of the next neuron, there are ion channels (allowing particular ion chemicals through)
attached to the ion channels are receptors, these receptors are specific to a specific type of neuron
transmitters
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When the neuron transmitter attaches to the receptor, the ion channel which is attached to the
receptor in the membrane of the receiving neuron will open and ions or chemical can then flow in ad
out of the neuron
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This is
supposed to help it to fire its own action potential (in some circumstances)
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In this case the process is called
inhibition
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But all of the thousands of
messages coming into the neuron have a balance point
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They are designed to facilitate the process of synaptic transmission
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g
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It inhibits action potentials by preventing the next neurons from producing an action potential
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Noradrenaline aka norepinephrine (American way) is a very important in regulating our mood
and formation of memories and stress
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Neuropeptides =
oxytocin and vasopressin are linked to our pair bonding and relationship formation, also both
linked to formation of drug addiction
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Lesson 3: Recreational drugs:
The drugs that we take and affect our brain almost all work on the process of synaptic transmission
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Later on, our calming, merry mood decreases as the alcohol then affects other
parts of the brain
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The effects of alcohol on the brain: inhibits decision making in the pre-fontal cortex
Impacts emotional processing in the amygdala

Nicotine = affect dopamine receptors it causes a release of dopamine (related to the reward system) =
taking nicotine will give the body a pleasure boost
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The effect of nicotine
Nicotine leads to increased release of dopamine – our system responds to that by thinking that there is
too much dopamine and there needs to be an adjustment to stop all the dopamine having a big effect
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Illicit recreational drugs
Cocaine = also involves dopamine but works slightly differently – when the neurotransmitter is recycled
to be used again, cocaine bloods this and stops it from being taken back up
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Cannabis – binds to its own receptors (cannabinoid receptors = THC) binds to these receptors (it blocks
it) these neurones are then not excited as receptors are blocked and the neurones that are concerned
are concerned with neurotransmitters GABA (inhibitory neurone) essentially we are blocking the process
of inhibition and this effectively creates excitation this causes dopamine to get excited
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But can also be prolonged (continued for a long time)

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Pituitary gland = produces hormones e
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growth hormones which are responsible for growth

Gonadotropic hormone releases in tests and ovaries
Cortisol = combats stress

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Hypothalamus = has a major role in regulating hormonal activity (releasing factors) they are
called this as they cause the release of another hormone from another part of the body
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Adrenal glands = are responsible for the hormone adrenaline = very important when needed to
produce very quick activity
Pancreas – insulin promotes the storage of glucose in the body insulin stores glucose and
releases it when needed for energy

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Testes – produces male hormone testosterone and causes secondary male characteristics
Ovaries produce the hormone oestrogen creates a feminising affect and secondary female
characteristics are caused, this hormone also play a part in reproduction
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Breathing rate also increases to get a lot of oxygen
Pupils will dilate = you need to see better so you can get lost of light in to see well
Stimulates sweat production = your sweat glands will work harder = in the process of running or
any activity you want to keep your body cool so you can be as efficient as possible
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After the danger has passed a new system will kick in after the SNS
This system is called parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS):
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Decreases the heart rate
Decreases breathing rate
Constricts pupils
Inhibits sweat production
Stimulates digestion

Threat
The area of the brain that recognises threat is called the Amygdala
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This sends a signal to the hypothalamus – it activates a pathway/route called the sympathomedullary
(SAM) pathway = it activates through the sympathetic nervous system the adrenal medulla( the inside
of the gland), which once activated causes the release of adrenaline and also its counterpart
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There's another system that gets activated and the hypothalamus has been triggered this system is
called hypothalamic – pituitary- Arenal (HPA) axis= this causes a release of the adrenocorticoid – trophic
hormone(ACTH) = this is released from the pituitary gland and activates a different part of the adrenal
gland called the adrenal cortex ( outside of the gland) - this allows the release of a group of chemical
called the corticosteroids and in particular the release of one of those which is called cortisol – this is
responsible for the release of sugar into the blood so the energy your muscles will need will be available

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