PSYCH 112 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Axon Hillock, Saltatory Conduction, Multiple Sclerosis
Document Summary
You"re doing some kind of computation when asked to think of polar bear. Evolution, brain, computers are information theoretic processes. Comm that goes in, should be similar to what comes out: difference that makes a difference (bateson, 1972, opposed to entropy. Physical state of universe (left to it"s own, universe tends towards disorganization) It requires energy to process energy, organize it. Specialized function due to: dendrites and axon. Behavior of the neuron: resting potential: neuron uses metabolic energy to eject positive ions, -100 -40 millivolts axon is negative to environment discontinuous chemical gradient. Neurons expend metabolic energy to create a chemical difference: action potential: positive ions rush (explode) in when gates open, generates from axon hillock, active conduction/transmission: na+ ions rush into cell. Loses energy over time (lost as heat energy) get recharged in nodes of ranvier: passive conduction/transmission: the effect of myelination it"s losing energy as it travels from node to node.
