PSY 102 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Phineas Gage, Oligodendrocyte, Prolactin
24 Oct 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Neurons: nerve cell specialized to communicate with each other. 160+ trillion connections! send messages to different parts of the body. The cell body: cell body also called the soma, is the central region of the neuron, builds new cell components. Axons and axon terminals: axon: portion of neuron that sends signals. Research suggests we have a glymphatic system (the brain equivalent of the lymphatic system, a network of channels that cleared out toxins with watery cerebrospinal fluid). Named for the glial cells which help the brain to clear away debris (like beta-amylod, a protein associated with alzheimer"s disease) while we sleep. Emphasis how crucial sleep is to physical and mental health! Neurons respond to neurotransmitters by generating electrical activity. Electrodes measure the difference in electrical charge inside and outside the neurons. When there are no neurotransmitters acting on the neuron, the membrane is at the resting potential.
