Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Jerky, Motor Control, Axon Terminal

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

Document Summary

Conducts electrical impulses from cell body to muscles, glands, other neurons. Neuron in spinal cord can have axon that extend over 1m (e. g. to fingers) Neurons in brain can have axons less than 1mm. Send out long fibres that guide newly divided neurons to their targeted place in prenatal brain development. Walls of blood vessels in brain have smaller gaps, covered by special glial cell. Myelinated axons have node of ranvier (where myelin very thin or absent) In myelinated axons, electrical current skips from node to node gives high conduction speeds. Damage to myelin sheath seen in ms. disrupts timing of nerve impulses, leading to jerky uncoordinated movements, and eventually paralysis. **may also help with modulating the communication among neurons. Neurons surrounded by fluids, and have a membrane. Membrane allows certain substances to pass through the ion channel, by opening. Process whereby a nerve impulse is created involved exchange of ions. Internal difference is 70 millivolts --> resting potential.