PSYC 2000 Chapter : Modules 4 6 Neural And Hormonal Systerms
Document Summary
A nerve cell or a neuron consists of many different parts: Sensory neurons - carry incoming info from sense receptors to cns. Motor neurons carry outgoing info from the cns to muscles and glands. Interneurons are located within the brain and spinal cord; communicate between motor and sensory neurons. A neural impulse is a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon. A threshold is the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse. All-or-none happens or doesn"t, meets a certain cut off point. Intensity same throughout axon the charge does not weaken. Synapse - junction between axon tip of sending neuron and dendrite or cell body of receiving neuron; gap is called synaptic cleft . Neurotransmitters - chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gaps between neurons. They travel across the gap, bind to receptor sites and influence whether neuron will generate a neural impulse or not.