PSY 111 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Autonomic Nervous System, Central Nervous System, Pituitary Gland

• School: Tunxis Community College
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 111
• Professor: O'brien

Document Summary

Neuron: the neural cell; the basic unit of the nervous system. Hormone: a biochemical that typically is released into the bloodstream to perform its function at locations distant from the brain, but that can also affect brain functioning itself. Glia: cells that perform a wide array of functions: regulating the biochemical environment of the brain, modulating neural transmission, aiding in the repair of neurons. Dendrites: the primary "receiving" parts of a neuron. Cell body: the part of a neuron that converts oxygen, sugars, and other nutrients into energy. Receptor sites: spots on the cell body of a neuron that, like the dendrites, can be stimulated by other neurons. Axon: the fibrous body of a neuron that carries the neural impulse to the terminal branches. Terminal branches: the parts of a neuron that send messages to other neurons or to muscles or glands. Myelin sheath: a whitish coating of fatty protective tissue that "insulates" the axons of neurons.