Structure and Function of Neurons
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The nervous system is a complex, highly coordinated network of tissues that communicate via electro chemical signals. It is responsible for receiving and processing information in the body and is divided into two main branches: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
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A Neuron is a specialized nerve cell that receives, processes, and transmits information to other cells in the body. We have a fixed number of neurons, which means they do not regenerate. About 10,000 neurons die everyday, but since we start out with between ten and 100 billion (Hooper & Teresi, 1987), we only lose about 2% over our lifetime.
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The nervous system is the master control system of the body. Each thought, each emotion, each action--all result from the activity of this system.
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A neuron is a specialized cell of the nervous system designed to rapidly communicate with other neurons and organs by sending chemical and electrical signals.
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The nervous system in humans has two main parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
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To understand what is meant by biological psychology it is helpful first to put the word ‘psychology’ under the spotlight. The term derives from the Greek words psyche meaning.
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Nervous system, organized group of cells specialized for the conduction of electrochemical stimuli from sensory receptors through a network to the site at which a response occurs.
Neurons - Key Terms
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axon noun - the appendage of the neuron that transmits impulses away from the cell body.
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cell body noun - the compact area of a nerve cell that constitutes the nucleus and surrounding cytoplasm, excluding the axons and dendrites.
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dendrites noun - the branching process of a neuron that conducts impulses toward the cell.
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myelin sheath noun - a wrapping of myelin around certain nerve axons, serving as an electrical insulator that speeds nerve impulses to muscles and other effectors.
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neuron noun - a specialized, impulse-conducting cell that is the functional unit of the nervous system, consisting of the cell body and its processes, the axon and dendrites.
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neurotransmitter noun - any of several chemical substances, as epinephrine or acetylcholine, that transmit nerve impulses across a synapse to a postsynaptic element, as another nerve, muscle, or gland.
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receptors noun - Cell Biology. any of various specific protein molecules in surface membranes of cells and organelles to which complementary molecules, as hormones, neurotransmitters, antigens, or antibodies, may become bound.
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quizletTest your knowledge of key terms.