PSYC 365 Chapter Notes -Somatic Nervous System, Pulmonary Circulation, Peripheral Nervous System
Document Summary
Afferent neurons= conduct impulses from sense organ to central ns, or from hlower to higher levels in spinal cord and brain. Efferent neurons= take impulses away from brain. Afferent and efferent neurons communicate w/each other via neurotransmitters that travel across gap b/w them (synapse) Synaptic transmission affected by psycholiglca state and affects psychological experience (reciprocal: ie multiple sclerosis where nerve cells lose outer layering (myelin sheath) and myasthenia gravis (can be caused by inability to produce certain nts. Central nervous system= composed of brain and spinal cord. Vs peripheral ns= somatic and autonomic ns (this is further into sympathetic and parasympathetic) Glial cells= make up about 90% of cns cells and are support system for neurons (provide nourishment and help neurons maintain proper physical orientation to each other) Cns also protected by bone fluids and membranes. Blood brain barrier= sentinel for materials that enter brain via bloodstream. Meningitis= infection of fluid that protects brain and spinal cord (cns)