PSY 101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3.1: Histamine, Anandamide, Neurotransmitter
Document Summary
The nervous system is made up of nerves and glia. Glia: support the neurons in many ways such as by insulating them, synchronizing neurons, and removing waste products. The function of the axon is to convey information from one point in the body to another and they do this through a process called action potential. In order to send the signal along many neurons, there must be a form of communication between the neurons. Synapse: the specialized junction between one neuron and another. A neuron releases a chemical into this junction that either excites or inhibits the next neuron. Axons will have branches which end in terminal boutons or presynaptic endings and when the action potential reaches these endings it releases a neurotransmitter: neurotransmitter: a chemical that activates receptors on other neurons. The neuron at the receiving end of the synapse is called the postsynaptic neuron. The brain has dozens of neurotransmitters which activate many types of receptors:
