EnglishClub

Pre-listening vocabulary

• cell: the smallest unit of life
• neurotransmitter: a type of chemical that sends messages between different parts of the body
• receptor: something that senses and responds to signals
• imbalance: a disproportionate amount of something
• mental: relating to the mind
• depression: a mood disorder that causes people to feel upset and exhausted often
• regulate: to keep something at a normal level

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

Neurotransmitters are that nerve cells use to communicate with other parts of the body. When a nerve cell releases a chemical, it is detected by a receptor in a different cell. This gives the body a to do something. Some neurotransmitters functions like moving or breathing. Others control and learning processes. There are over 100 known types of neurotransmitters, all with different purposes. An imbalance of neurotransmitters can cause both mental and physical illnesses. For example, people who with depression may have low levels of the chemical called serotonin, which helps to regulate emotions. Other commonly known neurotransmitters include dopamine, which responds to rewards, and adrenaline, which responds to danger.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. The cells that make neurotransmitters are
   a. nerve cells
   b. blood cells
   c. skin cells
   
2. There are at least
   a. 100 known neurotransmitters
   b. 200 known neurotransmitters
   c. 1000 known neurotransmitters
   
3. Serotonin is responsible for
   a. regulating emotions
   b. responding to rewards
   c. responding to danger

Discussion/essay questions

1. Brain chemistry is something scientists are continuing to learn more about. Why is it important to understand the brain?

Transcript

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that nerve cells use to communicate with other parts of the body. When a nerve cell releases a chemical, it is detected by a receptor in a different cell. This gives the body a signal to do something. Some neurotransmitters control functions like moving or breathing. Others control emotions and learning processes. There are over 100 known types of neurotransmitters, all with different purposes. An imbalance of neurotransmitters can cause both mental and physical illnesses. For example, people who struggle with depression may have low levels of the chemical called serotonin, which helps to regulate emotions. Other commonly known neurotransmitters include dopamine, which responds to rewards, and adrenaline, which responds to danger.

Answers to comprehension questions

1a 2a 3a

Pre-listening vocabulary

• cell: the smallest unit of life, which all living things are made up of
• specialized: specific; serving a certain purpose
• embryo: a developing being in a womb, egg, or plant seed
• tissue: a group of similar cells that have a specific function
• regenerate: to repair or restore something damaged or lost
• transplant: an organ that is taken from a donor and given to a patient who needs it

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:20 — 1.2MB)

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Gapfill exercise

A stem cell is a type of cell that can divide into more specialised cells during reproduction. There are two different types of human stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are found in the tissue of embryos, and adult stem cells, which are found in fully developed humans. The main difference is that embryonic stem cells can become any kind of cell, but stem cells can only become cells for certain types of tissue. In recent years, doctors and have become very interested in the medical uses of human stem cells. Stem cells could be used to treat illnesses such as , and regenerate tissue in organs that would otherwise require a transplant. Research has even shown that it is possible to genetically modify adult stem cells to like embryonic stem cells, which would make it much easier to grow any kind of tissue.

Comprehension questions

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Discussion/essay questions

1. Stem cell research is a bit of a controversial topic in some places. Why do you think there is so much debate about it?

Transcript

A stem cell is a basic type of cell that can divide into more specialized cells during reproduction. There are two different types of human stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are found in the tissue of embryos, and adult stem cells, which are found in fully developed humans. The main difference is that embryonic stem cells can become any kind of cell, but adult stem cells can only become cells for certain types of tissue. In recent years, doctors and researchers have become very interested in the medical uses of human stem cells. Stem cells could be used to treat illnesses such as cancer, and regenerate tissue in organs that would otherwise require a transplant. Research has even shown that it is possible to genetically modify adult stem cells to behave like embryonic stem cells, which would make it much easier to grow any kind of tissue.