BG1114-Fall 2025: Neurons and Neurotransmitters

Overview

In this class, we will learn about neurons and neurotransmitters, as well as how the most common neurotransmitters affect you mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Gray matter is brain tissue that processes the information sent by neurons. The dendrites and axon terminals are in the gray matter.

White matter is brain tissue through which signals are relayed from one neuron to another. White matter is composed of axons.

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NEUROTRANSMITTERS

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Acetylcholine - ACh

(uh·seh·tul·koe·leen)

• ACh was identified in 1914. ACh is the first neurotransmitter to be identified.
• It is the most common neurotransmitter in the brain.
• It is released during voluntary muscle movement, i.e., whenever you move your body.
• ACh is also released during involuntary muscle activity, such as when your heart pumps blood or you blink or swallow.

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Adrenaline uh-dreh-nuh-lun (aka) Epinephrine eh-puh-neh-fruhn

• Your brain releases adrenaline in response to your body going into fight or flight mode.
• Adrenaline increases your heart rate, causing your heart to pump blood faster to your muscles so they receive more oxygen and energy resources. When your brain perceives that you are feeling threatened or experiencing stress or fear, it sends signals to your body to increase your chances of survival.

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Glutamate

gloo-tuh-mate

• Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter. An excitatory neurotransmitter stimulates other neurons to release their chemicals.
• It reinforces your memory and helps you learn.
• Glutamate levels are highest when you are awake and when you are dreaming.

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Memory Challenge

There will be two memory challenges presented in two different videos. In one challenge, you will know what to look for before you answer the questions. In the other, you will answer the questions without any clues about what is in the video.

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Video #1: Memory Challenge Clues

• Pay attention to the arrow and the fruit.
• Count the number of animals.
• Remember the sentence.
• Colors are important.

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Video #2: No Clues

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Memory Challenge Follow-up

After watching the videos and participating in the memory challenges, answer these questions:

• With which memory challenge were you more successful?
• Why did you find one challenge easier than the other?

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GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid gam-muh / uh-mee-noh / byoo tih-rik

• GABA performs the opposite action of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. It inhibits other neurons, causing them to stop releasing chemicals.
• GABA calms you down and lowers your heart rate and blood pressure
• It helps you relax and fall asleep.

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Dopamine doe-puh-meen

• Dopamine is released when you listen to music, laugh, and eat delicious foods.
• It activates your brain’s reward centers, perking up your brain whenever you feel positive emotions and motivations.
• It controls motor movement and coordination.

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Serotonin seh-ruh-toe-nun

• Serotonin is released when we listen to music.
• It is present in the brain when we relax, sleep, and eat.
• It regulates our mood and pain sensation.
• It lets you know when you are full. And if you eat bad food, it causes your stomach to purge it.
• When serotonin levels are normal, we feel good. When they are too high, we feel irritable. And when serotonin levels are too low, depression results.

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Oxytocin ox-see-tow-sin

• Oxytocin is called the "love hormone," but love is not limited to romantic feelings.
• The brain releases oxytocin during many processes.
• Oxytocin is released when we listen to music.
• It makes the walls of a woman's uterus contract when she is delivering a baby.
• It stimulates the mother's milk production for her baby and promotes the mother-child bond.
• When people bond with feelings of affection, loyalty, and trust, oxytocin is present in the brain.

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My heart and brain LOVE having you in Brain Games!

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