PSYC 211 Chapter 2.3: 2.3
3 Jun 2016
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Document Summary
A barrier exists between the blood and the fluid that surrounds the cell of the brain and this is known as the blood-brain barrier. The capillaries in the cns lack these gaps therefor, many substances cannot leave the blood such that the walls of the capillaries in the brain constitute the blood brain barrier. Other substances must be actively transported through the capillary walls be special proteins, such as glucose transporters. Others still are transported out of the brain as they are toxic waste products. The barrier is not uniform throughout the nervous system. In several places it is relatively permeable such as in the area postrema which controls the vomiting reflex. Communication within a neuron refers to the way an action potential is sent from the cell body down the axon to the terminal buttons to inform them to release neurotransmitters.
