PSYC 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Chemical Synapse, Motor Cortex, Scientific Method
13 Apr 2017
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Document Summary
Nervous system is responsible for everything people think, feel, or do. Nerve cells(neurons): receive, integrate and transit info in the nervous system. Networks of neurons sending and receiving is the basis for psychological activity. Neurons communicate selectively to form circuits (neural networks) Neural networks develop by maturation, experience, and repeated firing o. Neurons: are excitable and powered by electrical impulses and communicate with other nerve cells through chemical signals. Reception: neurons take in chemical signals from neighboring neurons. Transmission: they pass their own signals to more receiving neurons. Sensory neurons: detect info from physical world and pass info to the brain (usually through spinal cord) (stimulated by the environment) o. Somatosensory nerves: sensory nerves that provide info from skin to muscles. Motor neurons: directs muscles to contract or relax to produce movement. Interneurons: communicate within local or short distance circuits. They integrate neural activity within a single area rather than transmitting info to other brain structures or body organs.
