PSYC 2410 Chapter 3: Chapter 3 - Psychology 1100
23 Jan 2012
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Neurons: nerve cells that constitute the basic building blocks of the nervous system. The axon branches out at its end to form a number of axon terminals. Blood-brain-barrier: specialized lining of cells in the brain s blood vessels that screen out foreign substances while letting nutrients pass through to neurons. Two important functions of neurons: generate electricity that creates nerve impulses, release chemicals that allow them to communicate with other neurons and with muscles and glands. Interior of the cell is more negative compared to the outside y. Resting potential: in the electrical activity of neurons, the internal differences of the sodium ions outside of a cell and the negatively charged protein ions inside the cell. Action potential: a nerve impulse resulting from the depolarization of an axon s cell membrane. Depolarization: the reversal of the resting potential of a neuron s cell membrane that produces the action potential.
