PSYCH101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Lateral Hypothalamus, Thalamus, Positron Emission Tomography

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH101
• Professor: Steve Spencer

Document Summary

Neurons: responsible for sending/receiving messages throughout body. Cell body: part of neuron that contains nucleus that houses the cells genetic material. Genes in cell body synthesize proteins that form chemical/structures that allow neurone to function. Dendrites: branches radiating form cell body, receive messages from other cells and transit the message toward the cell body. Axon: structure that transports info from neuron to neighbouring neuron in form of electrochemical reactions. Neurotransmitters: located within axon terminals, chemicals that functions as messengers allowing neurons to communicate with each other. Neurotransmitters released as synapses: the small spaces that separate indiv. nerve cells. Sensory neurons: fetch info from bodily senses and bring it towards the brain. Motor neurons: carry msgs away from brain and spinal cord and towards muscles in order to control their flexion and extension. Myelin: fatty sheath that insulates axons from one another, resulting in increased speed and efficiency or neural communication, made from glia.