PSYC62H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Fetus, Growth Factor, Isotretinoin
Document Summary
Neurons have four major components: soma: the body of the neuron that contains the nucleus, which contains dna. Components within support a neuron"s basic physiological processes: dendrites: parts of a neuron that receive information from other neurons. Dendritic spines: small stems that grow along the length of dendritic branches. The membranes of dendrites and dendritic spines contain receptors that neurotransmitters can activate. When activated, the receptors cause changes in the functioning of the neuron. Receptive area: the overall coverage of dendrites for a neuron. The more dendrites a neuron has, the more input it can receive from other neurons: axon: part of a neuron that sends neurotransmitters to other neurons. Most neurons have only one axon, which branches from the soma, usually opposite from the dendrites. Begins at the axon hillock and ends with axon collaterals (multiple branches) containing axon terminals: axon terminal: contains and releases neurotransmitters at a postsynaptic terminal, which contains receptors for neurotransmitters.
