Astrocytes, BBB, and Tripartite Synapses

Question 1

Astrocytes are ________ shaped cells.

Answer 1

STAR

Question 2

Astrocytes are the most numerous of the ___________ nervous system glial cells.

Answer 2

CENTRAL

CNS

Question 3

What do astrocytes do?

Answer 3

PROVIDE PHYSICAL SUPPORT MATRIX

Question 4

What do astrocyte extensions make contact with?

Answer 4

BLOOD VESSELS

Question 5

What is a brain tumor formed by?

Answer 5

GLIAL CELLS

Question 6

Name the complex filtration system that alters the permeability of brain capillaries?

Answer 6

BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER

BBB

Question 7

Astrocytes have long, highly branched processes which end on the walls of _____________ that contribute to the BBB.

Answer 7

CAPILLARIES

Question 8

What does the BBB severely limit the passage of?

List the common example discussed in class?

Answer 8

HARMFUL SUBSTANCES
+
GLUTAMATE

Question 9

Glutamate causes cells to become overexcited and die. What is this process called?

Answer 9

EXCITOTOXICITY

Question 10

Name the part of the body which hinders the delivery of many potentially important therapeutic agents to the brain, including antibiotics?

Answer 10

BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER

BBB

Question 11

What is the BBB permeable to?

***3

Answer 11

ALCOHOL
\+
AMPHETAMINES
\+
SOME TOXIC METALS

Question 12

What can affect the BBB efficiency?

***4

Answer 12

TRAUMA
\+
RADIATION
\+
HYPERTENSION
\+
INFECTION

Question 13

Someone with a brain injury has a 10 to 50 percent chance of developing what?

Answer 13

EPILEPSY

Question 14

Inappropriately activating astrocytes leading to chronic inflammation, hyperexciteable neurons, and epileptic seizures - is caused by what?

Answer 14

THE BLOOD PROTEIN ALBUMIN LEAKING INTO BRAIN VIA A DAMAGED BBB

Question 15

Astrocytes have processes which wrap around neurons to form what?

Answer 15

TRIPARTITE SYNAPSE

Question 16

Name the 3 parts of a tripartite synapse?

Answer 16

PRESYNAPTIC NEURON
\+
POSTSYNAPTIC NEURON
\+
ASTROCYTE

Question 17

The tripartite synapse contributes to neural _____________.

Answer 17

PLASTICITY

Question 18

Neuroplasticity refers to _____________ changes in the brain in response to new situations.

Answer 18

STRUCTURAL

Question 19

Name some new situations which could cause a structural neuroplastic alteration?

Answer 19

BEHAVIOUR
\+
THE ENVIRONMENT
\+
THINKING
\+
EMOTIONS
\+
CHANGES RESULTING FROM BODILY INJURY

Question 20

Name the unfortunate product of neuroplasticity?

Answer 20

CHRONIC PAIN

Question 21

Name the term for a heightened response to painful stimuli?

Answer 21

HYPERALGESIA

Question 22

Name the term for a painful response to a normally non painful stimulus?

Answer 22

ALLODYNIA

Question 23

There is evidence for astrocyte involvement in the etiology of ______________ disease, and cognitive decline.

Answer 23

ALZHEIMER’S

Question 24

Name the 2 common pain suffixes?

Answer 24

• ALGIA

- DYNIA