Section 1, Lecture 2 - Survey in Biopsychology Class Notes

Notes - Survey in Biopsychology

Neuron Structure
(lecture 2)

major features of a neuron: cell body (soma), dendrites, and a
axon hillock - junction of the cell body, where action potential
myelin - insulation around axons that prevents current loss
nodes of ranvier - gaps between the myelin that are importan
potential
terminal buttons (boutons) - endings of the axon, which releas
transmitters
synapses - the gap between the neurons where communicatio
nucleus - contains DNA
mitochondria - provides energy
endoplasmic reticulum - fat and protein synthesis
ribosomes - protein synthesis
golgi complex - packages molecules into vesicles
microtubules - transport of molecules
synaptic vesicles - located near the synapse; packages neuro
presynaptic membrane - end of the axon that establishes a co
(before the gap)
postsynaptic membrane - part of a neuron that receives a con
the gap)


Synaptic Communication
presynaptic neuron:
electrical impulse travels down axon
causes vesicles *lled with chemicals to be release
postsynaptic neuron:
has receptors that receive chemical messages
chemicals bind to the receptors which produce an