Neurotransmission

LO: Using one or more examples, explain the effects of neurotransmission on human behaviour (e.g. effect of noradrenaline on depression.

Command term: Explain – Give a detailed account including reasons and causes.

Mouse party – how does the brain get affected by neurotransmitters?

Functions of neurotransmitters – Video 

Class activity: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons_plans/zombie-autopsies-lesson-1-youll-be-wishin-for-some-neurotransmission-and-background-story/

 

1. “The Zombie Autopsies”: Mission and Background and read it aloud:

Mission:

Welcome to Harvard Medical School! We have recruited you because you are the best and the brightest young minds boasting skills in technology, working well in groups (socialization) and most important of all, your creativity. We will assume that you have at least some background in biology, but nothing more yet. We will especially be focusing on neuroscience as we have at least deduced that the brain plays a very important role in explaining zombie behavior. Your ultimate goal, should you pass your tests, will be to become a medications development specialist doctor and create a cure for the zombie plague that is destroying the entire world. Will you decide to save the world, or will you let it fall into eternal ruin?

Background:

“One-third of humanity has perished from the plague. Two point three billion people have died, and countless more are quickly moving towards the final stages of the disease. There is reason to believe that in a short time nearly everyone on Earth will be infected. The virus continues to spread exponentially, and all attempts at a vaccine or cure have failed. Scientific and industrial infrastructure is rapidly faltering. Early attempts at controlling the spread of the disease via nuclear and non-nuclear incineration have left the planet in an ecologically fragile state. Current computer models suggest that civilization can only survive for approximately another decade before we face total destruction. These are indeed dire times. “

Over the course of this unit you must successfully learn about the following in order to save civilization:

• Neurons
• Neurotransmission
• Neurotransmitters

Warm up Activity

1. • Welcome, Harvard medical students! To understand the brain of a human or zombie we must first understand the specialized cell that make up the tissue of the brain. These specialized cells are called neurons, and we will spend today discussing what they are and how they work. There is a pattern in your body that you may remember from biology class that goes like this:
     • Cells make up tissue, and tissue makes up organs. Easy enough?
     • Your brain is an organ and follows the same pattern of “cells, tissue, and organ” and we are going to start with the specialized cells of the brain which are called neurons. Before we get to the brain and its parts we need to learn a little about these neurons

Main Activities

Create a giant neuron in groups

1. Put students into small groups and give them paper so they can create their giant neuron puzzle. Have students put the puzzle together (tape or staples work) and then label their neuron with the words on slide six and using the image to help them. Once you have checked to make sure all the parts are labeled correctly, have students come up with a spooky name, a Halloween related personality and decorations for their neuron. The class will be sharing their neurons with the other students and using them in a game.
2. PowerPoint

Activity:

1. Have students stand up in their groups with their GIANT neurons and have the entire class form a circle with their neurons almost touching. They must line their neurons up in the same direction from dendrites (right) to terminal buttons (left) throughout the entire circle. Check to make sure students are lined up correctly and that there is SPACE between each neuron (synaptic gap). Have each group introduce their neuron to the class. Explain to the class that you are now going to attempt neurotransmission and you will do this by playing the game of telephone. Here are the rules:
   • The teacher picks the phrase – make it Zombie-oriented for fun!
   • You may only say the phrase to the person next to you once – no repeating!
   • The last person to go will whisper the answer to the teacher and the teacher will announce the phrase to the class.
   • A few suggestions on this exercise – you want to have neurotransmission take place as quickly as possible so encourage the kids to speed up. If any bad words are used the game ends immediately. The kids will most likely botch up the phrase, but try to explain that if their neurons in their brain did that they would have a pretty terrible life. Play several rounds and have fun. If students continue to fail you might want to point out that the signal (i.e. the message) might be botched because of the failure of the mylenation on the axons.

This activity is courtesy of: Zombie autopsy

 

Can LSD Make you a better worker?

 

In this LO you need to address:

1. Effect of neurotransmitter

2. On the behaviour.

Example:

1. Effect of Dopamine (neurotransmitter)
2. On Addictive behaviour

OR

1. Effect of Acetylcholine
2. On memory

Notes for this learning outcome: 

See on lesson materials on Google classroom HERE

Materials: 

NOTES 

PLANNING