PSYCH 1100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Myelin, Axon Terminal, Retina

• School: Ohio State University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH 1100
• Professor: Brian Siefke

Document Summary

The neuron is the basic unit of information processing in the brain. The electrical and chemical activities or neurons are the starting point of all behavior, thought, and emotion: neurons: the origin of behavior a. b. Neuron- cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information-processing tasks. Neurons produce the underlying invisible physical component of visible behavior. Neurons come in many shapes and sizes, and communicate without touching. Cell body (soma)- central region of the neuron, contains dna. Coordinates the information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive. Dendrites- receives/signals/information from other neurons and relay it to the cell body. Axon- sends/transmits information to other neurons, muscles, or glands. Axon terminal: contains synaptic vesicles which house neurotransmitters. Myelin sheath- an insulating layer of fatty material around the axon that speeds conduction. The myelin sheath is composed of glial cells. Glial cells- supports cells found in the nervous system.