PSYO 1021 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Myelin, Peripheral Nervous System, Sympathetic Nervous System
23 May 2013
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Chapter 3: biological foundations of behavior: name the three main parts of the neuron and describe their functions. Each neuron has three main parts: a cell body, dendrites and an axon. The cell body (soma) contains the biochemical structures needed to keep the neuron alive, and its nucleus carries the genetic information that determines how the cell develops and functions. Emerging from the cell body are branchlike fibers called dendrites. These specialized receiving units are like antennas that collect messages from neighboring neurons and send them on to the cell body. There the incoming information is combined and processed. The many branches of the dendrites can receive input from 1000 or more neighboring neurons. The surface of the cell body also has receptor areas that can be directly stimulated by other neurons. Extending from one side of the cell body is a single axon, which conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles or glands.
