PSY 320 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Psych, Semipermeable Membrane, Golgi Apparatus
Document Summary
Major regions of the neuron: neurons are the functional units of the nervous system. They are cells that are specialized to receive =, conduct, and transmit electrochemical signals. Like other cells neurons are composed of a clear inner fluid called cytoplasm- enclosed within a cell membrane. Cell membrane is semi-permeable- some molecules can pass through it, whereas others cannot: neurons come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes but in most cases the four regions are easily told apart. The cell body or soma is the metabolic center of the neuron. It is the region of the neuron that coordinates the processes that are critical for the cell"s survival and success. Dendrites- short bushy fibers that branch from the cell body. Primary function of dendrites is to receive incoming signals from other neurons. The axon is the single long fiber that extends from the cell body.
