PSY 102 Chapter 3: Chapter 3 notes
Document Summary
Chapter 3 biological psychology: bridging the level of analysis. Neurons: nerve cells specialized for communication with each other. Our brains contain about 85 billion neurons. Neurons have long extensions that help them respond to stimulation from and communicate with other neurons. Also called the soma, the cell body is the central region of the neuron. It manufactures new cell components, which consist of small and large molecules. The cell body contains the nucleus, which is involved with protein manufacture; damage to this part of the neuron can be lethal to the entire cell. The cell body also provides continual renewal of cell components. Neurons contain multiple branchlike extensions for receiving information from other neurons, these are called dendrites. Axons are specialized for sending messages to other neurons. While dendrites are receivers, axons are transmitters. These long tail-like extensions are usually very thin near the cell body.