PSY100Y5 Chapter 3: PSYChapter 3
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PSY100Y5 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
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Document Summary
Dendrites-the parts of the neuron that are specialized to receive info. From the dendrites, info flows into the cell body and then travels away from the soma along the axon: axon-a long, thin fibre that transmits signals away from the soma to other neurons or to muscles or glands. Can be quite long, and branch off to communicate with a number of cells. Wrapped in cells that have a high concentration of myelin: myelin sheath insulating material, derived from glial cells, that encase some axons. Speeds up transmission of signals that move along axons. If an axons myelin sheath deteriorates, its signals may not be transmitted effectively, the loss of muscle control seen with multiple sclerosis is due to this. The axon ends in a cluster of terminal buttons: terminal buttons-small knobs that secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters. These chemicals serve as messengers that may activate neighboring neurons: synapse point at which neurons interconnect.
