1. Module 1

1.59. Page 8

Lesson 8

Module 1—The Nervous System

Reflect and Connect

 

In this lesson you reviewed the function and physiology of neurotransmitters. In this part of your assignment, you will consider a diagram of a sensory neuron and a motor neuron and answer a series of questions about the synapse and the relationship between these two neurons. These questions are similar to the closed written-response question on the Diploma Exam.

 

Module 1: Lesson 8 Assignment

 

Retrieve the copy of the Module 1: Lesson 8 Assignment that you saved to your computer earlier in this lesson. Complete Part 2—The Synaptic Gap. Save your completed assignment in your course folder. You will receive instructions about when to submit your assignment to your teacher later in this lesson.

 

Reflect on the Big Picture

 

A diagram shows the following components as pieces of jigsaw puzzle: the brain, structure and organization, crossing the divide, nervous system, nerve impulse, the ear, the eye, neuron and reflex arc, touch, taste, smell, and temperature.

From the Big Picture scenario, your rapidly beating heart, your increased breathing rate, and the simple act of walking across the room take on a whole new meaning. In this lesson you examined how the information communicated through neurons can then be transmitted across the gap between neurons or between a neuron and a muscle. You examined the various types of neurotransmitters found naturally in the body, and you should now understand how they can speed up or slow down communication. You also looked at the effects of drugs on the synaptic gap.

 

Your Module Assessment project about Alzheimer’s disease will be completed with this lesson. Based on your understandings from this lesson, you should research any relationship between the symptoms of the disease and abnormal events that occur at the synaptic gap. Does the synaptic gap play any role in the interruption of communication associated with Alzheimer’s disease? Store your research findings in your course folder in preparation of your final work on this project.

 

Module 1: Lesson 8 Assignment

 

Submit your completed Module 1: Lesson 8 Assignment and your Module Assessment to your teacher for assessment.