PYC1501 Basic Psychology

PYC1501 Basic Psychology Functional parts of a neuron Identify 6 parts of a typical neuron and their function Dendrites – Neuron begins with dendrites. The dendrites separates into finer and finer parts extending like branches of a tree. Dendrites allow the neuron to connect to other neurons. Cell body (Soma) – The dendrites extend from the soma. The soma receives information from dendrites of other cells as well as from its own axon. Inside the soma is the cell nucleus. The nucleus controls the functions of the cell. Axon – When the soma receives information from its dendrites its collects the information in the axon hillock. When a certain threshold is reached the impulse runs along the axon. Axons can differ in length, width etc. Axons are often covered in fatty layers called myelin sheaths. The myelin sheaths are separated, these separations are called nodes on Ranvier. The myelin sheaths help the axon to send information faster. Axon terminals (telodendrion) – The axon ends in axon terminals. Each axon terminal ends in a bouton terminal. Each bouton will connect to a dendrite of anther brain cell. The boutons are filled with neurotransmitters which help to pass a message onto the next cell. Synapse – the bouton terminals don’t touch directly to the dendrite of the following neuron. There is a small gap called the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft.