PSY 2012 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Myelin, Postcentral Gyrus, Reticular Formation

• School: University of Florida
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 2012
• Professor: Phoua Yang

Document Summary

Bridging the gap between the nervous system and our behavior allows us to span multiple levels of analysis. Glial cells: the neuron"s pit crew (fixing, refreshing) Plays a role in the formation of myelin and the blood brain barrier. Equal number of glial cells and neurons in the brain. Astrocytes: the most abundant and increase reliability of neuronal transmission. Oligodendrocytes: promote new connections and produce the myelin sheath around axons. Dendrite: projection that picks up impulses from other neurons. Synapse: terminal point of axon branch, which releases neurotransmitters. Cell body(soma): materials needed by the neuron are made here. Node: gap in the myelin sheath of an axon, which helps the conduction of nerve impulses. Axon: nerve fiber projecting from the cell body that carries nerve impulses. Myelin sheath: fatty coat that impulses the axons of some nerve cells, speeding transmission of impulses. Axons carry information away from the soma. Information traveling along the axon is known as the action potential.