Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Peripheral Nervous System, Antipsychotic, Optic Chiasm

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Prof

Document Summary

Basic building blocks of the nervous system. Nerve cells are linked together in circuits. A cell body, dendrites, and an axon. The cell body (soma), contains biochemical structures needed to keep the neuron alive. Emerging from the cell body are dendrites (branch like fibres) Antennas that collect messages from neighbouring neurons send them on to the cell body. Extending from one side of the cell body is a single axon. Axon conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands. Axon branches out to form axon terminals which connect with dendrite branches from numerous neurons. Glial cells: surround the neurons and hold them in place, manufacture nutrient chemicals that neurons need, from myelin sheath around some axons, and absorb toxins and waste materials that might damage neurons, protect the brain from toxin. Blood-brain barier prevents many substances (including a wide range of toxins) from entering the brain.