Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Electric Current, Autonomic Nervous System, Basal Ganglia

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Dr.Mike

Document Summary

Neurons: basic building blocks of the nervous system. At birth: brain contains about 100 billion neurons. Performance of complex psychological activities is of interest to psychologists. Glial cells surround neurons and hold them in place. Form the myelin sheath around some axons. Prenatal development: glial cells send out long fibres that guide newly divided neurons to their targeted place in the brain. Blood-brain barrier: prevents substances (& toxins) from entering the brain. Walls of blood vessels within the brain contain smaller gaps than elsewhere in the body and they are covered by a specialized type of glial cell. Three main parts: cell body (soma) Contains biochemical structures need to keep the neuron alive. Nucleus carries the genetic information that determines how the cell develops and functions. Collect messages from close neurons and send them on to the cell body: axon. Extends from one side of the cell body.