PSYC 100A Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Myelin, Multiple Sclerosis, Resting Potential

• School: University of Victoria
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100A
• Professor: Martin Smith

Document Summary

Plato: located the mind in the spherical head his idea of perfect form. Aristotle: believed the mind was in the heart which pumps warmth and vitality into the body (heart remains symbol for love) Franz gall: phrenology studying bumps on the skull that could reveal mental ability and character traits > succeeded in focusing attention to localization of function. Dendrites: neuronal extensions that receive signals and conduct the impulse towards the cell body. Axon: the neuronal extension that passes messages through its branches to other neurons/muscles/glands. Myelin: encases axons to insulate signal transmission speeds it up (degradation results in multiple sclerosis. Makes it faster because the action potential jumps from one myelin sheath to the next. Glial cells: neural cell support provide nutrients, insulates the myelin, guides neuronal connections, mop up neurotransmitters. Action potential: brief electrical charge in response to a chemical signal (takes a bit longer, why your response may be a quarter of a second or more)