PSYC 100 Lecture Notes - Retina

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: Jaime Palmer

Document Summary

Basic structures of the neuron and its functions. Neurons exist in ion-rich solution, with a higher concentration of k+ inside and a higher concentration of na+ outside the cell. In its resting state, a neuron had negative charge of -70mv relative to the outside. Tiny gaps between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the dendrite of the next. Cocktail of neurochemicals flow into the synapse from the terminal buttons. Synaptic cleft: 10-20nm; it may take only 10*15nm for synapse to take place. The main visual pathways in the brain can be thought of as an intricate wiring pattern that lings a hierarchy of brain areas: It is remarkable that the light must travel through the retina before reaching the photo-receptors which are facing the back wall of the eyeball, which absorbs pigments. Retina contains light-sensitive cells that react to light by creating neural impulses.