Year one: Brain and behaviour

Year one: Brain and behaviour

1. Neurons and synapses

   • Neurons
     • Cajal showed neurons are individual units, separated by a gap called a synapse.
     • Golgi stain
       • The use of silver nitrate to stain neurons
       • Allows the structure of a neuron to be seen
     • Neuron structure
       • Dendrite
         • Receives inputs from other neurons
       • Axon
         • Transmits signals across distances
       • Synaptic terminals
         • Release neurontransmitters
       • Cell body (soma)
         • Carries out basic life functions
       • Node of ranvier
         • Gaps in the axon that increase the speed of transmission
       • Myelin
         • Insulating layer made of fatty substances and protein
       • Nucleus
         • Contains chromosomes and genes
       • Endoplasmic reticulum
         • Folded layers of membrane where proteins are assembled
       • Mitochondria
         • Structure that gathers, stores and releases energy
       • Dendritic spine
         • Small protrusion on dendrites that increase surface area
       • Intracellular fluid
         • Fluid in which the cell's internal structures are suspended
       • Tubule
         • Tiny tube that transports molecules and helps give it it's shape
       • Lysosomes
         • Sacs containing enzymes breaking down waste
       • Microfilaments
         • Threadlike fibres making up a large amount of the cell's "skeleton"
     • Size and shape
       • Interneurons - short or no axons
       • Neurons with massive dendrites often integrate information from many others
       • Long axons - transmit information over long distances
         • E.g. neurons going from the motor cortex to the spinal cord