5.1 Organisation of the Nervous System - Divisions and Main Cell Types

Question 1

Describe the function of glial cells

Answer 1

Nourishing and supporting cells and their surrounding environment

Question 2

Which cells make up the vast majority of the nervous system?

Answer 2

Glial cells

Question 3

What does “glia” mean?

Answer 3

Glue

Question 4

List four kinds of glial cells

Answer 4

• Astrocytes
• Microglia
• Ependyma
• Oligodendrocytes

Question 5

Can glial cells be replicated? How does this differ from neurons?

Answer 5

Glial cells can be replicated. Neurons can’t

Question 6

What is the function of microglia? What response are they involved?

Answer 6

• Defense cells (phagocytes)
• Patrolling “macrophages” of the CNS
• Remove foreign particles via phagocytosis
• Involved in inflammatory response

Question 7

What is the function of astrocytes?

Answer 7

• Star shaped
• Structural and chemical support, comprises the blood brain barrier
• Multiple processes extending from body
• Regulates concentrations

Question 8

What is the difference in relative size between astrocytes and microglia?

Answer 8

Astrocytes are bigger.

Question 9

What concentrations do astrocytes regulate?

Answer 9

• Ions
• Nutrients
• Interstitial gases

Question 10

Why is it significant that astrocytes are present at synapses?

Answer 10

• Astrocytes absorb and recycle neurotransmitters

Question 11

What are glial scars?

Answer 11

Scars that repair nervous tissue (but do not regenerate)

Question 12

Provide a brief description of the function and location of satellite cells

Answer 12

Astrocytes of the PNS

Question 13

What is the function of ependymal cells?

Answer 13

• Line ventricles of brain
• Produce and secrete CSF, and aid in its circulation

Question 14

What is the function of oligodendrocytes?

Answer 14

Produce myelin sheath (think: Deep Work)

Question 15

How many processes can an oligodendrocyte contain?

Answer 15

15 (basically spiderman)

Question 16

What are Schwann cells?

Answer 16

The olgiodendrocytes of the PNS

Question 17

How many processes can a Schwann cell contain?

Answer 17

One. Much more loyal than oligodendrocytes

Question 18

Are there any fenestrations in the blood brain barrier?

Answer 18

No. Don’t be fucking stupid

Question 19

How is it ensured that there are no gaps in the blood brain barrier?

Answer 19

Tight junctions between endothelial cells

Question 20

What is the largest type of neuroglial cells?

Answer 20

Astrocytes

Question 21

What is the name given to the “feet” of astrocytes?

Answer 21

Podocytes

Question 22

Describe the different structures present within the blood brain barrier

Answer 22

• Endothelial cells
• Pericytes
• Podocytes of astrocytes
• Basement membrane (inherent to epithelium)

Question 23

What are cranial nerves?

Answer 23

Nerves that come from the brainstem

Question 24

What are spinal nerves?

Answer 24

Nerves that come from the spine

Question 25

What are ganglia?

Answer 25

Collections of neuronal cell bodies

Question 26

What are the anatomical divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 26

PNS and CNS

Question 27

What are the two ways we can functionally divide the nervous system?

Answer 27

- Somatic, autonomic, enteric - Sensory, motor, integrated

Question 28

Can we control the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 28

No

Question 29

Can we voluntarily control the somatic nervous system?

Answer 29

Yes

Question 29

Can we voluntarily control the somatic nervous system?

Answer 29

Yes

Question 30

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 30

Parasympathetic and sympathetic

Question 31

What is the axon hillock? Where/what is it?

Answer 31

Site of action potential initiation. It is the conical projection that connects the cell body to the axon

Question 32

What are the ends of axons called?

Answer 32

Axon terminals

Question 33

What are Nissl bodies?

Answer 33

Accumulations of ribosomes on the rough ER

Question 34

What is meant by anterograde in terms of nervous transmission?

Answer 34

Toward the axon terminal

Question 35

What is meant by retrograde in terms of nervous transmission?

Answer 35

Toward the soma

Question 36

What is the name given to the three kinds of neuron connections?

Answer 36

Neuron-Neuron: Synapse Neuron-Gland: Neuroglandular synapse Neuron-Muscle: Neuromuscular junction

Question 37

Why is grey matter grey?

Answer 37

Because it is filled with closely-packed cell bodies

Question 38

Describe the location of grey/white matter in the brain vs spinal cord

Answer 38

Brain: Grey outside, white inside Spine: Grey inside (butterfly), white outside

Question 39

Why is white matter white?

Answer 39

White from myelin of axons

Question 40

Neuron vs nerve

Answer 40

Neuron: Single cell Nerve: Multiple neurons with connective tissue

Question 41

Can electrical signals travel both ways along an axon?

Answer 41

Check

Question 42

What are the four classifications of neuron by shape?

Answer 42

- Multipolar - Bipolar - Pesudo-Unipolar - Unipolar (Relates to number of cytoplasmic extensions)

Question 43

Which is the most common shape of neurons in the CNS?

Answer 43

Multipolar cells

Question 44

What types of neurons are multipolar?

Answer 44

Motor neurons and interneurons.

Question 45

Where are unipolar/psuedo-unipolar neurons mostly present?

Answer 45

Sensory nervous system