Brain Cellular Structure

Question 1

Subventricular Zone

Answer 1

produces new neurons for the olfactory bulb throughout life

neuronal progenitor cells produced here migrate to olfactory bulb where they differentiate into mature neurons

Question 2

Hippocampus

Answer 2

part of the limbic system involved in learning and memory, especially spatial memory and transfer of short-term memory to long-term memory

Question 3

Dentate Gyrus (Hippocampus)

Answer 3

produces new neurons throughout life and the new neurons are thought to be involved in establishing learning and memory

Question 4

Excitatory Neurons

Answer 4

neurons that stimulate excitation in their target neurons

Question 5

Inhibitory Neurons

Answer 5

Neurons that evoke inhibition in their targets

Question 6

Modulatory

Answer 6

Neurons that evoke more complex effects on their target neurons

Question 7

Astrocytes

Answer 7

glia that can communicate with neurons and modify the signals they send and receive

• release gliotransmitters (can’t trigger APs on their own)
• transfer oxygen, nutrients and other factors from the blood to neurons

Question 8

Neurotransmitter recycling

Answer 8

excitatory Glu release by pre-synaptic neuron –> uptake/clearing of glu into astrocyte –> conversion of glu to gln inside astrocyte –> transfer of gln from astrocyte to neuron –> neurons then use gln as precursor to synthesise glu for storage

Question 9

Astrocyte Functions

Answer 9

recycling neurotransmitters
provide metabolic intermediates and survival factors
phagocytosis of dead cells
synaptic remodeling
blood brain barrier protection
neuron modulation

Question 10

Oligodendrocytes

Answer 10

produce myelin

Question 11

Saltatory Conduction

Answer 11

the jumping from one node of ranvier to the next of electrical signals –> speeds nerve propagation up

Question 12

Microglia

Answer 12

• have immune cell functions in brain
• synaptic pruning
• neuron modulation