PSY 111 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Peripheral Nervous System, Myelin, Synaptic Pruning
Document Summary
Nervous system: a complex communication network in which signals are constantly being received, integrated, and transmitted. Neurons: individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit information. Soma (cell body): contains the cell nucleus. Dendrites: parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information. Information flows into the cell body, then travels away from the soma along the axon. Axon: a long, thin fiber that transmits signals away from the soma to other neurons or to muscles or glands. Wrapped in cells with a high concentration of a white, fatty substance called myelin. Myelin sheath: insulating material that encases some axons. Stabilizes axon structure and patterns of connectivity in neural networks. Axon ends in a cluster of terminal buttons: small knobs that secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters. Serve as messengers that may activate neighboring neurons. Synapses: a junction where information is transmitted from one neuron to another.
