PSYC 1001 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Postcentral Gyrus, Pituitary Gland, Carbohydrate Metabolism

• School: Carleton University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1001
• Professor: Elaine Waddington Lamont

Document Summary

Neuropsychology - the study of the brain. Neurons - individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate and transmit information. Soma - (cell body) contains the cell nucleus and much of the chemical machinery common to most cells. Dendrites - (branches) the parts of the neuron that are specialized to receive information. Axon - a long, thin fibre that transmits signals away from the soma to other neurons or to other muscles or glands. Myelin sheath - insulating material, derived from glial cells, that encases some axons. Speeds up transmission of signals that move along axons. Terminal buttons - (axon ends) small knobs that secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters. Synapse - a junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to another. Summary: information is received at the dendrites, is passed through the soma and along the axon, and is transmitted to the dendrites of the other cells at meeting points called synapses.