Bite Me Neurons synapses and the venomous creatures

Bite Me! Neurons, synapses, and the venomous creatures that take advantage of them

The Nervous System • The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves • These organs and tissues are made of cells called neurons • The neurons in the nervous system control everything else in your body with signals

Parts of a Neuron Dendrites Axon Cell body: The “regular” part (contains nucleus and other organelles) Axon: Sends signals to the synapse Dendrites: Receive signals from other synapses Cell body Synapse

Close-Up of a Synapse • Neurotransmitters carry signals from a neuron’s axon across the synapse to another cell • The cell across the synapse has receptors where neurotransmitters can bind • Synapses need both neurotransmitters AND receptors to function

Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) • The NMJ is just one type of synapse, formed by a neuron and a muscle cell • Neurotransmitters from the axon send signals to the muscle • Synapses can form between two neurons, or between a neuron and another type of cell Dendrites Cell body Synapses Axon Muscle fibers

Acetylcholine (ACh) • ACh is one of many types of neurotransmitter • ACh is the neurotransmitter used at the NMJ • The unique structure of the ACh molecule allows it to fit in its receptor

Close-Up of the NMJ • Neuron releases ACh from its axon • ACh crosses the synapse and binds to receptors in the muscle cell • Muscle responds to ACh signal by contracting

NMJ In Real Life… • Where are the muscle fibers? Neurons? Synapses? • Where are the neurotransmitters? The receptors?

Labeling NMJ Parts (Real Science Experiment!) Red = ACh Receptors Green = Axon

Neurotoxins • Proper function of the nervous system is necessary for survival! • Molecules that interfere with the nervous system are called neurotoxins • Different neurotoxins can act on different parts of a synapse

Neurotoxins in Nature • Neurotoxins occur naturally in some (not all) animal venoms • The animals pictured have neurotoxic venom • Neurotoxins in venom can disrupt the function of the NMJ

Coral Snake Venom • Coral snake venom blocks ACh receptors • ACh cannot bind; no signals get through synapse • Muscle becomes paralyzed

Black Widow Spider Venom • Black widow venom causes the axon’s ACh to be released all at once • No ACh left for intentional movement signals • The muscle spasms, then is paralyzed

Neurotoxins in Science l na sig • Neuroscientists use neurotoxins to study how synapses work • Using a neurotoxin ( ) that blocks one neurotransmitter ( ) makes it easier to see the effects of other neurotransmitters ( ) • Disrupting the synapse in a predictable way is a control Axons

Controls in Science Miracle-Gro Compost Ace Fertilizer Which kind of fertilizer is the best at making plants grow?

Controls in Science Miracle-Gro CONTROL Ace Fertilizer Which kind of fertilizer is the best at making plants grow?

Controls in Neuroscience Axons l na sig • The neurotoxin controls for the effect of the green neurotransmitter • If green neurotransmitter is blocked, signals we observe must be coming from pink neurotransmitter • Other experiments to try?