PY 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Myelin, Neuroglia, Interneuron

• School: University of Alabama
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PY 101
• Professor: racheldelacy

Document Summary

Neurons: the basic unites of the nervous system. Three types of neurons: sensory- touch, feel, motor- movement ex. Dendrite: branchlike extensions of neurons that detects information from other neurons. Cell body (soma): site in neuron where information from 1000s of other neurons is collected and integrated. Axon: long narrow outgrowth of a neuron by which information is transmitted to other neurons. Glial cells: maintain homeostasis, form myelin and provide support and protection for neurons. Myelin sheath: fatty material made up of glial cells that insulates some axons to allow for faster movement of electrical impulses along the axon. Node of ranvier: small gaps of exposed axon, between the segments of myelin sheath, where action potentials take place. Terminal buttons: at the ends of axons, small nodules that release chemical signals from the neuron into the synapse. Synapse: gap between axon of a sending neuron and the dendrites of a receiving neuron; site where chemical communication between neurons occurs.