SLK120 CHAPTER 3
NOTES
Taneil Thompson
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA, 2020
, DISCLAIMER:
PLEASE NOT THAT THIS INFORMATION IS NOT MY OWN. IT HAS
BEEN SOURCED FROM THE TEXTBOOK TITLED ‘PSYCHOLOGY
THEMES AND VARIATIONS’. THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE USED
IN ADDITION TO THE TEXTBOOK, LECTURES, LECTURE NOTES
AND TUTORIAL WORKSHEETS.
, SLK120 Notes
Chapter 3- Biology of Behaviour
(For Semester Test 1)
1. Identify the various parts of the neuron and the main functions
of glial cells. (102-104)
Neurons:
- Individual cells in nervous system (living tissue composed of cells
(neurons and glia)/ complex communication network in which signals are
constantly being transmitted, received and integrated) that receive,
integrate and transmit information.
- Interneurons (communicate with other neurons) are most common in the
human body
- Sensory neurons: receive signals from outside nervous system
- Motor neurons: carry messages from nervous system to muscles that
move the body
- Basic chains of communication within nervous system.
- Communicate with each other, sensory organs and muscles in the body.
- Parts of a neuron (please refer to diagram below as well)
1.) Dendritic trees that are made up of dendrites which are specialised
to receive information.
2.) This information is then carried to the soma (cell body) which
houses the nucleus and other structures common to cells.
3.) From here the information travels away from the soma, down the
axon which is a long, thin fibre that transmits signals towards other
neurons/muscles/glands.
4.) In order for the axon to conduct signals effectively, it has a myelin
sheath (cells with a high concentration of a white fatty substance
called myelin)(derived from special types of glial cells) which acts
as an insulating material and aid in accelerating the transmission of
signals.
5.) At the end of an axon, there are terminal buttons which are small
knobs that secrete chemicals known as neurotransmitters (serve as
messengers that activate nearby neurons).
6.) The point at which a terminal button and a soma meet is called a
synapse which is a junction where information is transmitted from
one neuron to another.
Glial cells (number 7 on the diagram):
NOTES
Taneil Thompson
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA, 2020
, DISCLAIMER:
PLEASE NOT THAT THIS INFORMATION IS NOT MY OWN. IT HAS
BEEN SOURCED FROM THE TEXTBOOK TITLED ‘PSYCHOLOGY
THEMES AND VARIATIONS’. THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE USED
IN ADDITION TO THE TEXTBOOK, LECTURES, LECTURE NOTES
AND TUTORIAL WORKSHEETS.
, SLK120 Notes
Chapter 3- Biology of Behaviour
(For Semester Test 1)
1. Identify the various parts of the neuron and the main functions
of glial cells. (102-104)
Neurons:
- Individual cells in nervous system (living tissue composed of cells
(neurons and glia)/ complex communication network in which signals are
constantly being transmitted, received and integrated) that receive,
integrate and transmit information.
- Interneurons (communicate with other neurons) are most common in the
human body
- Sensory neurons: receive signals from outside nervous system
- Motor neurons: carry messages from nervous system to muscles that
move the body
- Basic chains of communication within nervous system.
- Communicate with each other, sensory organs and muscles in the body.
- Parts of a neuron (please refer to diagram below as well)
1.) Dendritic trees that are made up of dendrites which are specialised
to receive information.
2.) This information is then carried to the soma (cell body) which
houses the nucleus and other structures common to cells.
3.) From here the information travels away from the soma, down the
axon which is a long, thin fibre that transmits signals towards other
neurons/muscles/glands.
4.) In order for the axon to conduct signals effectively, it has a myelin
sheath (cells with a high concentration of a white fatty substance
called myelin)(derived from special types of glial cells) which acts
as an insulating material and aid in accelerating the transmission of
signals.
5.) At the end of an axon, there are terminal buttons which are small
knobs that secrete chemicals known as neurotransmitters (serve as
messengers that activate nearby neurons).
6.) The point at which a terminal button and a soma meet is called a
synapse which is a junction where information is transmitted from
one neuron to another.
Glial cells (number 7 on the diagram):
