C1. Brain Structure and Function Flashcards
What is the functional unit of the central nervous system ?
Neurons
What are the three subcategories of neurons ?
Can be broken down into:
- Sensory- which relay information from the periphery to the CNS. Also known as the afferent
- Motor- which relay the information from the CNS to the periphery. Also known as the efferent
- Interneurons- the neutrons that connect the sensory to the motor
Give an example of how the sensory neurons might work in everday life.
The ability to feel the texture of the desk
Give an example of how the motor neurons might work in everyday life.
Touching a hot cooker and jerking your hand as a response
What is the brain made out of ?
Neurone
Microglia
Oligodendrocytes
Astrocyte
What are the glial cells ?
Supportive neurons such as:
Astrocyte- maintains the blood brain barrier
Oligodenrocytes- Structure support to the neurons
Microglial- Cleaning up dead debris (neurons) achieved by phagocytosis
What is the role of the meninges
Three layers of membrane known to protect the brain from damage
PAD:
Pia mater
Arachnoid
Dura mater
Where is the subarachnoid space located ?
Between the arachnoid membrane and pia mater
- Cerebral spinal fluid moves between the subarachnoid spaces
What are brain ventricles filled with ?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
What cells are involved in the production of CSF?
Choroid plexus
When does brain development occur in the formation of the baby ?
Early stages within gestation at around 4 weeks
When is the brain fully formed ?
At around 9 months
What is the importance of folic acid ?
To ensure that there is appropriate folding and development of the brain and to mitigate neural tube defects such as spinal bifilar and anecephaly
What is spina biffing and how is this rectified ?
Where the neurons are perturbing out.
This can be resolved with surgery where the nerve is realigned and tissues
What is anencephaly?
Brain is underdeveloped in a newborn.
This cannot be corrected and most children will die
Why are stem cells useful ?
They are undifferentiated meaning that they are open to any instruction to form any type of cell
What is the role of a progenitor cell ?
They are instructed to undergo differentiation to develop into any glial cell. This can be useful in Parkinson’s disease
