PSYC 2307 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Axon Hillock, Extracellular Fluid, Saltatory Conduction
Document Summary
Information: matter organized into a signal steam (e. g. message) A useful message energy is involved in making and receiving signals. Information processing requires: transduction/detection: converting stimulus events into neural events, coding: evaluating, categorizing, organizing assembling and preparing info for further coding, transmission and/or storage, communicating: transferring info from one place to another. Similar in regards to structure however the differences are due to quantitative differences in ns structure and function. Membrane: separates the cell from the environment protection (proteins are inserted within the membrane to allow interactions with outside environment) Dendrites: long branching extensions from the cell body; collect incoming signals and passing them along to the soma. Axon: nerve fiber, conducts signals rapidly across long distances; only 1 axon, constant in diameter, much longer then dendrites. Axon terminals: also called axon buttons; they split from the axon as branches and contain swellings at the tips (packages of chemicals) function: output of signals.