PSY 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Myelin, Axon Terminal, Sympathetic Nervous System

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 1101
• Professor: Christopher Fortin

Document Summary

Located mind in spherical head (idea of perfect form) Thought mind was in the heart (pumps warmth and vitality) Proposed phrenology: study of bumps on skull that could reveal person"s mental abilities and traits. Remains as a reminder for need for critical thinking and telling us to focus on localization of function (parts of brain have particular function) Body has nerve cells that conduct electricity/send chemical messages across tiny gap between them. Our adaptive brain is wired to experience. Biological psychology : scientific study of links between biological and psychological processes. Behaviours are biological mental processes using different parts of brain. Dendrites: branch like extensions that receive and conduct impulses to cell body. Axon: neuron extension that passes messages from cell body to axon terminal. Some encased in myelin sheath: fatty tissue layer insulating and speeding up impulses. Laid down up to about age 25 (if myelin sheath degenerates, ms results slow communication to muscles)