UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT UNIT 4
HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Introduction
Neurotransmitters, like every other part of our body, are interconnected and play a critical role in
ensuring that our bodies function properly. Neurotransmitters are vital because they help to boost
and balance signals in the brain. This allows our brain to be active and continue to function.
Neurotransmitters in the body, according to Hammond(2019), are chemical messengers. The
primary function or role is to transmit nerve cell signals. These target cells could be found in
muscles, glands, or nerves. The brain and neurotransmitters are linked because the brain requires
neurotransmitters to regulate many essential functions. We often wonder what system or
mechanism is responsible for our mood, heart rate, breathing, sleep cycles, digestion, appetite,
and other bodily functions.
It is due to the role of neurotransmitters as regulators. The nervous system is a major source of
neurotransmitters in our bodies. According to OpenStax (2018), in the nervous system, there are
different systems of neurotransmitters that are found at various synapses, they are known as the
chemicals that are the neurotransmitters and within the group are specific systems, these systems
are the cholinergic system, amino acid, and biogenic amine. The nervous system is essentially
our body's mastermind. It controls the organs, psychological functions, and physical functions of
the body, or it is a controller of each movement. The nervous system is made up of two major
components: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. They each have their
own composition and function.
The central nervous system (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord comprise the central nervous system. It is called the central nervous
system because of its role as a coordinator in our bodies. In reality, the central nervous system
receives information from our bodies and serves as an activity coordinator in our organism.
According to Han (2017), the skull (the cranial cavity) protects the brain, and the spinal cord
travels from the back of the brain down the center of the spine, stopping in the lumbar region of
the lower back. The brain and spinal cord are both protected by a triple-layered membrane
known as the meninges.
The peripheral nervous system.
The nerves that branch from the brain and spinal cord make up the majority of it. Nerves play an
important role in this context because they form a network of communication between the central
nervous system and the rest of our bodies. Another subdivision of the somatic nervous system
and the autonomic nervous system exists within the peripheral nervous system. The somatic
nervous system, according to the National Cancer Institute (n.d.), consists of nerves that go to the
skin and muscles and is involved in conscious activities, whereas the autonomic nervous system
consists of nerves that connect the central nervous system to visceral organs such as the heart.
stomach, and intestines. There are numerous chronic deficits or disorders associated with
neurotransmitters, including Alzheimer's disease, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease,
epilepsy, and Huntington's disease.