PS101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Homeostasis, Pineal Gland, Hypothalamus
Document Summary
Chapter 4 - the brain: source of mind and self. Nervous system: gathers/processes info, produces response to stimuli, coordinates working of cells. Receives, processes, interprets, stores incoming sensory info. Spinal cord: collection of neurons and tissue from base of brain down back, produces automatic spinal reflexes. Sensory nerves carry messages to spinal cord. Somatic system: nerves connected to sensory receptors, permits voluntary actions. Autonomic system: regulates internal organs and glands, sympathetic system: mobilizes body and increases output of energy during stress, parasympathetic system: relaxes body after stress response. Neurons: nerve cells conduct electrochemical signals transmitting info to/from/within central nervous system. Enhance formation and maintenance of neural connections. Dendrites: branches receive info from other neurons, transmits info to cell body. Cell body: contains biochemical machinery to keep neuron alive. Axon: extending fibre conducts impulses away from cell body to other cells. Myelin sheath: fatty material surrounding axon, speeds up conduction of impulses. Nodes: gaps between sections of myelin sheath.
