Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Axon Terminal, Myelin, Otto Loewi

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Laura Fazakas- De Hoog

Document Summary

Central nervous system: brain, spinal cord. Somatic division: nerve fibres runny to skeletal muscles, control voluntary actions involuntary (ex. Autonomic division: controls muscles running to internal organs & glands, Sympathetic division: mobilizing body"s resources for action, increases heart rate and blood pressure, inhibits digestion relaxation, conserve and replenish body"s energy, decreases heart rate and blood pressure. Balance between the two systems is most important. Basic building blocks of the nervous system. 100 billion at birth, lose 10,000 every day. Contains biochemical structures needed to keep the neuron alive. Nucleus carries genetic information that determines how the cell develops and functions. Branch-like fibres that emerge from the cell body. Collect messages from neighboring neurons and send them to cell body. Extends from cell body, conducting electrical impulses to other neurons, muscles, or glands. Glial cells surround neurons and hold them in place. Also manufacture nutrients, form myelin sheath, absorb toxins and waste.