CAS PS 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Myelin, Neuroglia, Multiple Sclerosis

• School: Boston University
• Department: Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Course: CAS PS 101
• Professor: Robert Reinhart

Document Summary

The nervous system is responsible for everything we think, feel, and do. Neurons are basic building blocks of the nervous system. They receive and transmit information throughout nervous system. Together, they form neural networks, which interact and communicate in all regions. Neurons are powered by electrical impulses, and communicate with other nerve cells through chemical signals. Communication goes from left to right of the neuron. Dendrite: detects chemical signals from neighboring neurons. they detect chemical signals from other neurons. Cell body (soma): like all cells, the cell body keeps the neuron alive & functioning (it is involved in metabolic activity). Can be as long as 3 centimeters in humans. Myelin sheath: encases and insulates axons (it wires around it). Composed of glial cells, which facilitate the electrical transmission. Multiple sclerosis: de-myelinated axons slow down neural impulses. Terminal buttons: bulbous end of an axon. Communication to other neurons occurs at this end.