Page 38 - 2024-bfw-MyersAP4e-TE

Module 1.3a The Neuron and Neural Firing:
INTRODUCE THE MODULE
Make It Meaningful Neural Communication and

(10 minutes) Ask students the the Endocrine System
following questions:
• What do you already know
about neurons and neural LEARNING TARGETS
transmission? 1.3-1 Describe neurons, and explain how they transmit information.
1.3-2 Explain how nerve cells communicate with other nerve cells.
• Where did you learn this 1.3-3 Explain how neurotransmitters influence behavior, and explain how drugs
information? and other chemicals affect neurotransmission.
• What questions do you have 1.3-4 Explain how the endocrine system transmits information and interacts with
about neurons and neural the nervous system.
transmission?
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Not for redistribution.
Use their responses as a way to Neural Communication
begin the discussion of the neuron For scientists, it is a happy fact of nature that the information systems of humans and other
and neural communication. animals operate similarly. This similarity allows researchers to study relatively simple animals
to discover how our own neural systems operate. Cars differ, but all have engines, accelera-
tors, steering wheels, and brakes. A space alien could study any one of them and grasp the
operating principles. Likewise, animals differ, yet their nervous systems operate similarly.
INTRODUCE THE MODULE Neurons
Activate Prior Knowledge 1.3-1 What are neurons, and how do they transmit information?
e
What ar
e
neurons,
neurons,
e

What ar
1.3-1

What ar
and how do they transmit information?

(10 minutes) Begin class with Our body’s neural information system comprises a complexity built from simplicity. Its build-

,
this activity, which asks students ing blocks are neurons or nerve cells. Throughout life, new neurons are born and unused

neuron a nerve cell; the basic neurons wither away ( O’Leary et al., 2014 ; Shors, 2014 ). To fathom our thoughts and actions,
to decide if statements are building block of the nervous our memories and moods, we must first understand how neurons work and communicate.
true or false. The statements system. Neurons differ, but all are variations on the same theme ( Figure 1.3-1 ). Each consists of

cell body the part of a neuron
tap into common beliefs and that contains the nucleus; the a cell body and its branching fibers. The often bushy dendrite fibers receive and integrate
cell’s life-support center.

misconceptions about psychology. Copyright © Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Dendrites Terminal branches of axon
dendrites a neuron’s often (receive messages (form junctions with other cells)
This activity will benefit students’ bushy, branching extensions that from other cells)
understanding of Module 1.3a as receive and integrate messages, Axon
conducting impulses toward the
they read. cell body. (passes messages away
from the cell body to
other neurons,
M1.3a: Fact or Falsehood? muscles, or glands)
Myelin sheath
TEACHING TIP Figure 1.3-1 Cell body Neural impulse (action potential; (covers the axon
of some neurons
A motor neuron
The Essential Knowledge for (the cell’s life- electrical signal traveling and helps speed
down the axon)
neural impulses)
support center)
Topic 1.3—The Neuron and Neural 28 Unit 1 Biological Bases of Behavior
Firing—includes a discussion
of the reflex arc. You can find
detailed coverage of this concept in
Module 1.2. TEACH 1.3-1 ENGAGE 1.3-1 15/12/23 9:21 AM
03_myersAPpsychology4e_28116_ch01_002_163.indd 28
Teaching Tip (5 minutes) To provide another visual
While studying neural communication, image of the parts of a neuron illustrated
students often fail to appreciate the in Figure 1.3-1, stretch out your arms and
complexity of the neural network in the spread your fingers (or have a student come
nervous system. For learning purposes, this up and do this). Explain to your students
text intentionally presents the neural chain that your hands represent the “cell body,”
in the simplest way neurons communicate. your fingers represent “dendrites” bringing
Help students understand that for the vast information to the cell body, and your arms
majority of the nervous system, multiple represent the axon taking information away
neurons connect with each other, creating a from the cell body.
complex network capable of almost endless
combinations of neurons communicating.
28 Unit 1 Biological Bases of Behavior
03_HammerTE4e_47547_ch01_2a_163_4pp.indd 28 07/02/24 5:18 PM