PSYC 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Myelin, Neuroglia, Resting Potential

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: A.George Alder

Document Summary

Neurons; specialized (nerve) cells that act as the basic building blocks of the nervous system and mainly used to send messages back and forth. Do two important things: generate electricity that creates nerve pulses, release chemicals that allow them to communicate with other neurons and with muscles and glands. Three main parts: cell body; aka soma, contains the biochemical structures needed to keep the neuron alive. Nucleus carries the genetic information that determines how the cell develops and functions. Combines and processes information from the dendrites. Has receptor areas that can be directly simulated b other neurons. Dendrites; branchlike fibers that act as specialized receiving units. Collect messages from neighbouring neurons and send them on to the cell body: axon; conducts electrical pulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glans. Branches out at its end to form a number of axon terminals.