PSY 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Substantia Nigra, Hypertonia, Serotonin
Document Summary
Soma/cell body central region of the neuron: metabolic centre, genetic material stored here. Information flow: structure (dendrites has one long tube, distance of branching (dendrites all surround the axon, sheath or no sheath? (axon is covered by sheath, dendrites not covered) Synapse tiny fluid-filled space between neurons where neurotransmitters travel. Glial cell the supporting cells of the central nervous system; plays role in formation of myelin and the blood-brain barrier, responds to injury, removes debris, and enhances learning and memory. The blood-brain barrier: barrier is made up of cells that is very tight together (between fluid and blood, astrocytes are at the feet (block out neurotoxins and brings in nutrients and other substances) Insulates the brain from infection by bacteria and others: tiny blood vessels are wrapped with a fatty coating, blocks large molecules, highly charged particles, and molecules that dissolve in water. Some human nerve cells are 3 feet long true.
