PSYC 1113 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Reticular Formation, Cerebral Cortex, Hypothalamus
Document Summary
Neurons- cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks. Three major parts: cell body (soma)- the part of a neuron that coordinates information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive. Metabolism: dendrite- the part of a neuron that receives information from other neurons and relays it to the cell body, axon- the part of a neuron that transmits information to other neurons, muscles, or glands. Can stretch from spinal cord to big toe: myelin sheath- insulating layer of fatty material covering the axon. Glial cells- support cells found in the nervous system. Form myelin to help transmit information more efficiently: synapse- junction or region between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another. Sensory neurons- neurons that receive information from the external world and convey it to brain by spinal cord. Motor- neurons that carry signals from spinal cord to muscles to produce movement.
