Second Lecture

Cell that releases neurotransmitters to send messages.
Neurons: to collect process and send information.

77% Water, 11% fat, 8% protein, 4% salt

18th century: Cell theory
19th century: Cut the tissue in thin sections, developed a stain that only stained only a small fraction of the cells - nervous system is connected, composed of separate units.

Brain cells migrade individually during development

Is related and is attempted to be measured by various methods and machines.

Input and Integration zone (dendritis and cell body): where information is integrated

Site of spike initiation: decision is made

Axion: the information is passed on.

Synapsis: where neurotransmitters released (DRUGS mess w neurotransmitters)

3 kinds:

Sensory or input neurons

Interneurons

Motor/output neurons

Natural selection: each neuron can be slightly different and have diff shapes/sizes

Owe our knowledge to the squid: allowed electrical recording.

Placing an electrode near a cell allows you to -eavesdrop- on its activity.

Recording of action potentials

Always ready to send action potential

Action pot. travels w/o attenuation

Signals travel in only one direction

Charge and quantity of ions are changed, causing a net positive/negative inside/outside the neuron

K+ is responsible for the resting potential. (increasing K+ outside cell = assisted suicide)