Anan/Phy
12/2/13

Exploring Neuroscience: A Survey of Research Topics

Brain Basics: Nutrition and the brain-
1. What are examples of neurotransmitter precursors?
Aspartic Acid
Used to make aspartate; found in peanuts, potatoes, eggs and grains.

Choline
Used to make acetylcholine; found in eggs, liver and soybeans.

Glutamic Acid
Used to make glutamate; found in flour and potatoes.

Phenylalanine
Used to make dopamine; found in beets, soybeans, almonds, eggs, meat and grains.

Tryptophan
Used to make serotonin; found in eggs, meat, skim milk, bananas, yogurt, milk, and cheese.

Tyrosine
Used to make norepinephrine; found in milk, meat, fish and legumes.

I Learned that Certain foods contain precursors.
Question: how do they make extract these precursors from the foods

Higher Functions: Smart Drugs?-
2. Are there such things as “smart pils”? researchers are studying substances that may improve mental abilities. These substances are called "cognitive enhancers" or "smart drugs" or "nootropics." These include side effects as improvement of memory, learning, attention, concentration, problem solving, reasoning, social skills, decision making and planning.

Medications that are also like smart pills are neurotransmitters called Adderall or vyvanse
How do these substances enter the body and start to work?

Sensory Systems: Eye Safety-

3. How to protect your eyes from damage?
1. Avoid Guns bow-and-arrows, sling shots and