Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system, consisting of a cell body with branching dendrites that receive messages and an axon that sends messages to other neurons. Messages are transmitted chemically across synapses, the gaps between neurons, through neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that influence mood, hunger, sleep, arousal, learning, attention, emotions, and motor control. Imbalances in these chemicals can lead to disorders like depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease.

1. Chapter 2Neuroscience and Consciousness Neurons- the system’s basic building blocks Each consists of a cell body and branching fibers

2. Dendrites/Axon Dendrites- receive messages and conduct them toward the cell body Axon- sends out messages to other neurons The dendrites listen while the axons speak

4. Synapse Synapse- space between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another (they do not touch) How does it send messages if they do not touch? Your neural system converts an electrical impulse into a chemical message called neurotransmitters

5. Neurotransmitters Serotonin- can make us more or less moody, hungry, sleepy, or aroused Not enough serotonin can lead to depression Dopamine- influences our movement, learning, attention, and emotions Too much could lead to schizophrenia, and too little to tremors or Parkinson’s disease Look at chart in book on page 30