Chapter 3 - Neurons

Golgi

Believed the nervous system was one connected network of fibres

Cajal

Believed the nervous system was made up of separate cells called neurons

Neuron Theory

Neurons are individual units that work together to produce behaviour

Dendrite

Branch-like part that receives information from other neurons

Dendritic Spine

Small bump on a dendrite where it connects with another neuron

Cell Body (Soma)

Main part of the neuron that combines incoming signals

Axon

Long fiber that carries messages away from the cell body

Axon Hillock

Spot where the axon starts and the action potential begins

Axon Collateral

Branch of an axon that lets one neuron talks to many others

Terminal Button

End of the axon that sends signals to another neuron

Synapse

Small gap where information passes from one neuron to another

Neuroplasticity

The brain’s ability to change and make new connections

Neurogensis

Creation of new neurons in certain brain areas

Hippocampus

Brain area that helps with memory and makes new neurons

Lateral Ventricles

Brain area where new smell-related neurons form

Sensory Neurons

Carries information from the sense to the brain and spinal cord

Bipolar Neuron 

Found in the retina → has one dendrite and one axon

Somatosensory Neuron

Carries touch and body information to the spinal cord

Interneuron

Connects sensory and motor neurons inside the brain and spinal cord

Stellate Cell

Small interneuron with many dendrites → found in the thalamus

Pyramidal Cell

Larger neuron in the cortex that sends messages to other brain areas

Purkinje Cell

Cerebellum neuron with many branches that controls movement signals

Motor Neuron

Carries signals from the brain or spinal cord to the muscles

Neural Network

Group of connected neurons that work together

Excitatory Signal

Tells a neuron to fire and send a message

Inhibitory Signal

Tells a neuron not to fire

Analog Input

Incoming signal that changes in strength (like a dimmer)

Digital Output

Outgoing signal that all-or-nothing (on/off)

Action Potential

The electrical signal that travels down an axon

Barbara Webb’s Robot Cricket

Robot that copies neuron behaviour to follow soundF