A neuron exists to perform 3 tasks: 1.) Receive information from the neurons that feed it. 2.) Carry information down its length. 3.) Pass the information on to the next neuron. Sensory Neurons -Sensory neurons, or afferent neurons, act like one-way streets that carry traffic from the sense organs toward the brain. The sensory neurons communicate all of your sensory experience to the brain, including vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, pain and balance. Motor Neurons -Motor neurons, or efferent neurons, form the one-way routes that transport messages away from the brain to the muscles, organs and glands. Interneurons Sensory and motor neurons do not communicate directly with each other. Instead, they rely on a middle-man. -Interneurons, which make up the majority of our neurons, relay messages from sensory neurons to other interneurons or motor neurons in complex pathways. What a Neuron Looks Like How Neurons Work -The dendrite, or part of the neuron, which accepts most of the incoming messages. “receiver” -Consists of finely branched fibers. -Selectively permeable -Dendrites complete their job by passing the incoming message on to the central part of the neuron called the soma. -The soma, or cell body, contains the cell’s nucleus and life-support machinery. -The function of the soma is to assess all messages the cell receives and pass on the appropriate information, at the appropriate time. -When the soma decides to pass-on a message, it sends the message down the axon. -The axon is a single, larger fiber that extends from the soma. “transmitter” -This is a one way street Axon The axon is the extension of the neuron through which the neural impulses are sent. -Axons speak, dendrites listen. -In some neurons, like those of the brain, the axons are very short. In others, like those in the leg, they can reach 3 feet long.
A neuron exists to perform 3 tasks: 1.) Receive information from the neurons that feed it. 2.) Carry information down its length. 3.) Pass the information on to the next neuron. Sensory Neurons -Sensory neurons, or afferent neurons, act like one-way streets that carry traffic from the sense organs toward the brain. The sensory neurons communicate all of your sensory experience to the brain, including vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, pain and balance. Motor Neurons -Motor neurons, or efferent neurons, form the one-way routes that transport messages away from the brain to the muscles, organs and glands. Interneurons Sensory and motor neurons do not communicate directly with each other. Instead, they rely on a middle-man. -Interneurons, which make up the majority of our neurons, relay messages from sensory neurons to other interneurons or motor neurons in complex pathways. What a Neuron Looks Like How Neurons Work -The dendrite, or “receiver” part of the neuron, which accepts most of the incoming messages. -Consists of finely branched fibers. -Selectively permeable -Dendrites complete their job by passing the incoming message on to the central part of the neuron called the soma. -The soma, or cell body, contains the cell’s nucleus and life-support machinery. -The function of the soma is to assess all messages the cell receives and pass on the appropriate information, at the appropriate time. -When the soma decides to pass-on a message, it sends the message down the axon. -The axon is a single, larger “transmitter” fiber that extends from the soma. -This is a one way street Axon The axon is the extension of the neuron through which the neural impulses are sent. -Axons speak, dendrites listen. -In some neurons, like those of the brain, the axons are very short. In others, like those in the leg, they can reach 3 feet long.
ch_3_notes_biopsychology_text_only_notes.docx