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Neuroscience > Cells of the CNS > Flashcards

Cells of the CNS Flashcards

1
Q

What is the broad function of glial cells?

A

Support neurons

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2
Q

List 5 types of glial cells?

A 
Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
Schwann cells
Ependymal cells
Satellite cells of ganglia
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3
Q

What are microglia?

A

Immune cells

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4
Q

What are macroglia?

A

Refers to glial cells

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5
Q

How many layers are there in the cerebral cortex?

A

6

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6
Q

What lies in the six layers of the cerebral cortex?

A

Cell bodies of neurons and glia

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7
Q

What is the function of the ventricular system?

A

Formation and passage of CSF

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8
Q

What is the choroid plexus?

A

Vascular structure arising from wall of each ventricle

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9
Q

What is the function of the choroid plexus?

A

Forms CSF

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10
Q

Describe the structure of ependymal cells?

A

Columnar or cuboidal cells
Sometimes ciliated
Non basal laminar (different to epithelial cells)

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11
Q

Where are ependymal cells found?

A

Lining central canal of spinal cord and ventricles

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12
Q

Why are ependymal cells sometimes ciliated?

A

Aid CSF flow

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13
Q

Why are neurons highly synthetic?

A

High level of protein synthesis, for structures such as ion channels, receptors and cytoskeleton

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14
Q

Describe the metabolic characteristics of neurons?

A

Metabolically limited

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15
Q

Are neurons capable of turning over?

A

Most are terminally differentiated

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16
Q

What are the three components of the cytoskeleton of neurons?

A

Actin
Intermediate filaments
Microtubules

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17
Q

What is the role of actin in neurons?

A

Shape changes allowed by rapid assembly/disassembly of actin

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18
Q

What is the role of microtubules in neurons?

A

Axon transport

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19
Q

What are microtubules composed of in neurons?

A

Tubulin

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20
Q

Describe the volume distribution of neurons?

What is the consequence of this?

A

High proportion is axon and dendrites

So, random damage often involves axon (prone to damage due to length)

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21
Q

What are Nissl bodies?

A

Large granular body in neurons

Contains RER and free ribosomes

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22
Q

How can the high level of protein synthesis in neurons be demonstrated in cytology?

A

Presence of Nissl bodies

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23
Q

How is protein supplied to the distal extremities of neurons?

A

Axonal transport

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24
Q

What are glial cells sometimes called?

A

Macroglia

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25
Q

What is the most important glial cell type in the brain?

A

Astrocytes

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26
Q

List the passive support functions of astrocytes?

A 
NT uptake and degradation
K homeostasis
Neuronal energy supply
BBB maintenance 
Injury response and recovery
27
Q

List the active functions of astrocytes?

A

Modulation of neuronal function

Modulation of blood flow

28
Q

Which particular NTs do astrocytes uptake and degrade?

A

Glutamate and GABA

29
Q

Describe how astrocytes are involved in K homeostasis/

A

K released when neuron depolarises

Glial cells suck up excess

30
Q

Is glutamate excitatory or inhibitory?

A

Excitatory

31
Q

Is GABA excitatory or inhibitory?

A

Inhibitory

32
Q

What are the most important NTs in the brain?

A

Glutamate and GABA

33
Q

What do astrocytes express transporters for?

A

Glutamate and GABA transporters

For reuptake

34
Q

What happens if glutamate transporters are blocked from working? Why?

A

Massive increase in depolarisation
Neuron is also depolarised for longer period of time
(Because more glutamate remains in synapse for longer)

35
Q

Why are glutamate transporters on glial cells so important?

A

Removal of glutamate is crucial for maintaining normal function and integrity
If glutamate remains in the synapse, it will continually stimulate the neuron,. which can lead to cell death

36
Q

By what mechanism do glial cells communicate with each other?

A

Ca waves

Synaptic vesicles - exocytosis

37
Q

What can initiate Ca waves in glial cells?

A

NTs
Trauma
Spontaneous
Inflammatory mediators

38
Q

How/why are glial cells excitable?

A

Mechanisms that involve Ca

39
Q

To what extent do glial cells contain and release synaptic vessels/

A

Very small number

40
Q

How are neurons inhibited?

A

Ca wave

41
Q

What is the mechanism of neuron inhibition involving glial cells? How are glial cells able to act in this way?

A

ATP release from glial cells > Ca wave > hyperpolarisation

Glial cells are able to directly modulate the function of neurons in their vicinity

42
Q

How can glial cells regulate neuronal function?

A

Can directly modulate neurons in their vicinity by release of ATP > Ca wave > hyperpolarisation

43
Q

How can glial cells regulate vasculature?

A

Can regulate vascular tone via initiation of Ca wave > vasoconstriction or vasodilation
(BV constricts as Ca wave moves closer)

44
Q

How do astrocytes know when to regulate vascular tone?

A

Astrocyte can sense what is going on at synapse, and alters blood flow in accordance with level of activity and energy requirements

45
Q

Which cell types are involved in myelination?

A

Oligodendrocytes

Schwann cells

46
Q

What is the predominate cell type of white matter?

A

Oligodendrocytes

47
Q

What is the role of oligodendrocytes?

A

Myelinate axons in CNS

48
Q

What is the role of Schwann cells?

A

Myelinate axons in PNS

49
Q

What are the differences between oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells?

A
  1. Oligodendrocytes - CNS; Schwann cell - PNS

2. Oligodendrocytes extend processes that wrap around several axons; Schwann cells wrap around a single axon

50
Q

What are the immune cells of the CNS called?

A

Microglia

51
Q

Where do microglia arise from?

A

Bone marrow

52
Q

What immune cell type do microglia resemble?

A

Macrophages, as they are phagocytic

53
Q

Describe the action of microglia?

A

Local defence cells
Constantly survey the CNS by extending processes
Are phagocytic

54
Q

When do microglia change?

A

Change in response to inflammation or injury

55
Q

How do microglia change in response to inflammation or injury?

A

Upregulate cytokines and growth factors

56
Q

Describe the broad structure of peripheral nerves?

A

Each nerve fibre surrounded by endoneurium
Bundles of nerve fibres form fascicles
Each fasicle surrounded by perineurium
Bundles of fasicles surrounded by epineurium

57
Q

What does endoneurium enclose?

A

A nerve fibre and Schwann cell

58
Q

What does epineurium enclose?

A

Bundles of fascicles

59
Q

What does perineurium enclose?

A

A fasicle

60
Q

What are ganglia?

A

Aggregations of neuron cell bodies that lie outside the CNS

61
Q

What are the two types of ganglia?

A

Sensory and autonomic

62
Q

What do sensory ganglia contain?

A

Cell bodies of sensory neurons

63
Q

What do autonomic ganglia contain?

A

Cell bodies of post-ganglionic neurons

64
Q

Where are the cell bodies of post-ganglionic autonomic neurons found?

A

In autonomic ganglia

Neuroscience (51 decks)

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