PSYC62H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Depressant, Glial Scar, Autonomic Nervous System
Document Summary
Neurons are cells in the nervous system that receive and transmit information to other cells. Neurons serve as the principal players for behavior and have many unique characteristics that set them apart. Glia cells are cells that support the function of neurons, and the brain has about 10 times as much glial cells as neurons. Neurons comprise dense communication networks in the brain, supporting the function of individual brain structures and facilitating communication between brain structures. Neurons have four major components: a soma, dendrites, axon, and axon terminal. The soma is the body of the neuron, which also contains the nucleus. Components within the soma support a neuron"s basic physiological processes. Dendrites of a neuron receive information from other neurons. Small stems called dendritic spines grow along the length of dendritic branches. Membranes of dendrites and dendritic spines contain proteins called receptors that neurotransmitter activates.
