PSYC 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Somatic Nervous System, Striatum, Parasympathetic Nervous System
22 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Approx 100 billion nerve cells in the brain that perform a variety of tasks to allow you to function as a human being. Neurons: cells in the nervous system that communicate with one another to perform information - processing tasks. Spanish physician satiago ramon y cajal [1852-1934] New technique for staining neurons in the brain. Revealed entire cell came in different shapes and sizes. Discovered neurons are complex structures composed of 3 basic parts. Cell body (soma): coordinates the information-processing tasks and keeps the cell alive. Dendrites: receive information from other neurons and relay it to the cell body. Axon: carries information to other neurons, muscles, or glands. Can be up to a metre long. Myelin sheath: an insulating layer of fatty material. Composed of glial cells (greek word) glue. Synapse: the junction between the axon of one neuron and the dendrites or cell body of another (a gap)
