Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Visual Cortex, Psychopathy, Transitional Fossil

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

Document Summary

Human aggression, criminal behaviour, and the frontal cortex. Neurons: these specialized nerve cells are the basic building blocks of the nervous system that are linked together in circuits: supported in their function by glial cells, generate electricity that creates nerve impulses. Glial cells: surrounds neurons and hold them in place, manufacture nutrient chemicals that neurons need, form the myelin sheath, absorb toxins and waste materials that might damage neurons, protect the brain from toxins, modulating the communication among neurons. Blood-brain barrier: specialized barrier prevents many substances, including a wide range of toxins, from entering the brain: walls of blood vessels within the brain contain small gaps, covered by a specialized type of glial cell. Three main parts of a neuron: cell body (soma): Contains the biochemical structures needed to keep the neuron alive. Its nucleus carries the genetic information that determines how the cell develops and functions. Surface of the cell body has receptor areas.