E4+Neurotransmitters+and+Synapses

E Neurobiology and behaviour - E1 Stimulus and Response - E2 Perception of Stimuli - E3 Innate and Learned Behaviour - E4 Neurotransmitters and Synapses - E5 (HL) The Human Brain - E6 (HL) Further Studies of Behaviour - Neurobiology Labs

Review what you know already about how nerves work from core physiology
 * Starter**

Watch the chemistry of addiction from SciShow media type="custom" key="24444868"


 * Assessment statements** (IBO notes added to some point to clearly indicate what needs to be understood and what does not)
 * E.4.1 || State that some presynaptic neurons excite postsynaptic transmission and others inhibit postsynaptic transmission. ||
 * E.4.2 || Explain how decision-making in the CNS can result from the interaction between the activities of excitatory and inhibitory presynaptic neurons at synapses. ||
 * E.4.3 || Explain how psychoactive drugs affect the brain and personality by either increasing or decreasing postsynaptic transmission. Include ways in which synaptic transmission can be increased or decreased. Details of the organization and functioning of the entire brain, and theories of personality or explanations for personality, are not required. ||
 * E.4.4 || List three examples of excitatory and three examples of inhibitory psychoactive drugs. Use the following examples. Excitatory drugs: nicotine, cocaine and amphetamines, Inhibitory drugs: benzodiazepines, alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). ||
 * E.4.5 || Explain the effects of THC and cocaine in terms of their action at synapses in the brain. Include the effects of these drugs on both mood and behaviour. ||
 * E.4.6 || Discuss the causes of addiction, including genetic predisposition, social factors and dopamine secretion. ||

A set of notes from [|i-Biology] can be found [|here]
 * Workbooks and Worksheets **

Steven Taylor ( [|i-Biology] ) has a great presentation to view and take notes from before starting your notebook media type="custom" key="24444876"
 * Presentations and tutorials **

This website on the effects of drugs and disease on synaptic transmission from Harvard College includes both a good introduction into the action of neurotransmitters and the specific examples including alcohol, cocaine and caffeine.

Use the sunamas tutorial on [|synpatic transmission] to help clarify how the synapse works

Some great tutorials and animations from [|Learn.Genetics] will help your understanding:
 * [|Crossing the Divide: How Neurons Talk to Each Other]
 * [|Mouse party] - how do drugs affect the brain?
 * [|New Science of Addiction: Genetics of the Brain] is not all relevant to course content, but has some useful information on dopamine and the reward pathway

Use [|click4biology] to review and complete your notes


 * Activities**

"Mouse party" from [|learn.genetics] is a fun way to learn about some example drugs and how they work. Use the worksheet below (probably easiest to print it off first) and use the [|link to the mouse party] to complete the worksheet. media type="custom" key="24444898"

Examples you need knowledge of for this topic are: nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, alcohol, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the active drug in cannabis) and benzodiazepines (which was not covered by the mouse party).

__Learn and illustrate__
 * //E.4.1// || //State that some presynaptic neurons excite postsynaptic transmission and others inhibit postsynaptic transmission.// ||
 * //E.4.2// || //Explain how decision-making in the CNS can result from the interaction between the activities of excitatory and inhibitory presynaptic neurons at synapses.// ||
 * //E.4.3// || //Explain how psychoactive drugs affect the brain and personality by either increasing or decreasing postsynaptic transmission.// ||
 * //E.4.4// || //List three examples of excitatory and three examples of inhibitory psychoactive drugs.// ||
 * //E.4.5// || //Explain the effects of THC and cocaine in terms of their action at synapses in the brain.// ||
 * //E.4.6// || //Discuss the causes of addiction, including genetic predisposition, social factors and dopamine secretion.// ||


 * 1) Complete the i-Biology notes by yourself
 * 2) Work with a partner to illustrate the all the assessment statements on a single large sheet of paper (avoid using an agreed colour)
 * 3) Spend 5 minute rotations critiquing the work of other groups in the class (write your annotations using the agreed colour)
 * 4) Review the annotations other have made upon your work and discuss with your partner
 * 5) Update and improve your notes - during this time their will be mini tutorial sessions on the assessment statements you found challenging
 * 6) Assess your understanding by trying past paper questions and peer marking them

Lots of relevant information in the lyrics of "The synaptic cleft". A fantastic creative effort by the Stanford biology students. media type="custom" key="24444882" [|download here]
 * Useful Links **