Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience BMP-218
Jeffry R. Alger, Benjamin M. Ellingson, and Allan MacKenzie-Graham
October 29, 2013
Divisions of the Nervous System • The nervous system is composed of two primary divisions:
• 1. CNS - Central Nervous System (Brain + Spinal Cord)
• 2. PNS - Peripheral Nervous System (Nerves from CNS to other cells/organs) Cells of the Nervous System • The nervous system is composed of two primary types of cells:
• 1. Neurons - transmit information • 2. Glia - largely supporting cells Neurons • Occur in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, but all share the feature of “cell-to-cell” communication Neuronal Cytoarchitecture Dendrites • Receives signals from other cells (Input)