Cells of the CNS

Question 1

immune cells in the CNS are called?

Answer 1

microglia

Question 2

where are ependymal cells found?

Answer 2

line central canal of spinal cord

low columnar/cuboidal cells

Question 3

purpose of ependymal cells?

Answer 3

aid CSF flow via cilia

Question 4

4 big characteristics of Neurons:

Answer 4

Specialized for signalling
high level of protein synthesis
metabolically limited
terminally differentiated

Question 5

3 components of cytoskeleton and their function:

Answer 5

Actin: dynamic/movement
Intermediate: permanent
Microtubules: dynamic, axon transport

Question 6

what is the metabolic centre of the neuron called?

Answer 6

soma

Question 7

two types of processes that come from neuron?

Answer 7

dendrites: receive
axons: conducting

Question 8

High proportion of total neuron volume are? 2 things

Answer 8

Axons

dentrites

Question 9

why is axonal transport critical?

Answer 9

because so much of the neuron is axon

Question 10

nerve damage is usually where on the neuron?

Answer 10

axon because it’s so long

Question 11

Neuron input via dendrites is active or passive?

Answer 11

passive electrotonic spread

Question 12

why do neurons have high protein production?

Answer 12

to make ion channels
receptors
cytoskeleton

Question 13

What are Nissl bodies?

Answer 13

rough ER and ribosomes in neurons

Question 14

Glial cells AKA:

Answer 14

macroglia

Question 15

Astrocytes have 5 key passive support functions:

Answer 15

NT uptake/degradation
K+ homeostasis
neuronal energy supply
BBB maintenance
injury response/recovery

Question 16

2 active functions of astrocytes:

Answer 16

modulate neuronal function
module neuronal blood flow

Question 17

Glutamate does what?

Answer 17

excite

Question 18

GABA does what?

Answer 18

inhibit

Question 19

what happens when glutamate transporters on glial cells are inhibited

Answer 19

neurons are more depolarized, could die

Question 20

What can excite a glia? 4 things

Answer 20

NTs: ATP/glutamate
Trauma
Spontaneous
inflammatory mediators

Question 21

how can you prove glia is active?

Answer 21

modulation in intracellular calcium waves

Question 22

How to glia communicate?

Answer 22

via synaptic vesicles and exocytosis

Question 23

how does glia regulate neuron?

Answer 23

glia release ATP>calcium wave>inhibit neurons

Question 24

Which glial cells surround blood vessels? what do they do?

Answer 24

astrocytes:

vasoconstriction/dilation

Question 25

difference between oligodendrocytes and schwann cells?

Answer 25

oligodendrocytes: CNS white matter
schwann: PNS

Question 26

How many axons do oligodendrocytes vs. schwann cells?

Answer 26

oligodendrocytes: several axons
schwann: single axon

Question 27

Where does microglia originate from?

Answer 27

bone marrow/macrophage lineage

Question 28

microglia fast or slow?

Answer 28

fast: like innate system

Question 29

microglia important for maintaining what?

Answer 29

normal brain function

Question 30

what do microglia do if injury?

Answer 30

release cytokines (damaging)
change rapidly in response to inflammation

Question 31

peripheral nerve have 3 layers

Answer 31

endoneurium: around individual nerve fibre
Perineurium:around fascicles
epineurium: around entire nerve

Question 32

aggregations of cell bodies of neurons outside the CNS are called?

Answer 32

ganglia

Question 33

what do autonomic ganglia house?

Answer 33

cell body of post-ganglionic neurons