BIO310H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Cerebrospinal Fluid, Ependyma, Extracellular Fluid
Document Summary
The most important system for producing rapid coordination in the body is the nervous system. Neurons are the fundamental unit of the nervous system. Communicate information using electrical and chemical signals. Receive process and transmit information they also vary in size and form. Soma/cell bodies (process ): cell body; responsible for metabolic maintenance of the cell. Dendrites (receive): serve as receivers that gather signals from other neurons and carry them toward the soma. Axon(s) (transmit ): specialized extensions of neurons that conduct signals away from the soma: some extend very long distances, at its termination, an axon typically divides into numerous branches, glia (supporting cells) called axon terminals. Both increase electrical conduction speed along the axon. Ependymal cells: line cavities of cns; circulate cerebral spinal fluid. Astrocytes: transport nutrients, remove debris in cns; regulate neurotransmitter levels around synapse. Microglia: neuronal maintenance; remove debris and dead cells from cns.
