PSYC 150 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Spinal Cord, Axon Terminal, Peripheral Nervous System
Document Summary
Neurons: specialized cells that conduct impulses through the nervous system and contain three major parts a cell body, dendrites, and an axon. Cell body: the part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and carries out metabolic functions of the neuron. Dendrites: the branch-like extensions of a neuron that receive signals from other neurons. Axon: the slender, tail-like extension of the neuron that transmits signals to the dendrites or cell body of other neurons or to the muscles, glands, or other parts of the body. Glial cells: cells that help to make the brain more efficient by holding the neurons together, removing waste products such as dead neurons, making the myelin coating for the axons, and nourishing tasks. Synapse: the junction where the axon of a sending neuron communicates with a receiving neuron across the synaptic cleft. Resting potential: the membrane potential of a neuron at rest, about 70 millivolts.
