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Neuro > Cells of the nervous system > Flashcards

Cells of the nervous system Flashcards

1
Q

What is a neuron?

A

An excitable cell that conducts impulses

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2
Q

What is the function of a neuron?

A

To integrate and relay information within a neural circuit

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3
Q

What is Glia?

A

Supporting cells (Glue)

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4
Q

What is the function of Glia?

A

Maintain homeostasis
Protection
Assist neural function

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5
Q

What is Nissl staining used for?

A

Visualisation of size, density and distribution of neurons

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6
Q

What does the soma contain?

A

Nucleus
Ribosomes, RER, Golgi apparatus
Mitochondria

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7
Q

Potassium dichromate + Silver nitrate = ?

A

Silver chromate microcrystals

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8
Q

What are the 4 major compartments of the neuron?

A

Cell body (soma)
Dendrites
Axons
Presynaptic terminal

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9
Q

What is a microtubule composed of?

A

Polymers of tubulin

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10
Q

Where are microtubules located?

A

Longitudinally down neurites

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11
Q

What are microfilaments composed of?

A

Polymers of actin

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12
Q

Where are microfilaments located?

A

Longitudinally
Membrane associated

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13
Q

What are neurofilaments composed of?

A

Long protein molecules wound together

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14
Q

What are the major components of an axon?

A

Axon hillock
Axon initial segment
Axon collaterals
Axon terminal

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15
Q

Are there ribosomes on Axons?

A

No
No RER

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16
Q

What does an axon with a high level of convergence equal?

A

= high levels of divergence

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17
Q

What is the function of a synapse?

A

‘Fastens’ the pre and post synaptic vesicles together

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18
Q

How is a presynaptic vesicle specialised to its function?

A

The cytoplasm contains no microtubules, synaptic vesicles, specialised proteins and mitochondria

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19
Q

What is axoplasmic transport?

A

The flow of neurons from the soma to the axon terminal
Wouldn’t be possible via simple diffusion

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20
Q

What is the distance moved by neurons via slow axoplasmic transport?

A

1mm per day

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21
Q

What is the distance moved by neurons via fast axoplasmic transport?

A

1000 mm per day

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22
Q

What molecules aid the movement of neurons in fast axoplasmic transport?

A

Neurons move along microtubules with the aid of ATPase kinesin

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23
Q

Which direction does kinesin move towards?

A

The plus end of the microtubule (away from the cell body)

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24
Q

How does retrograde transport occur in axons?

A

Via Dynein at a slower pace than Kinesin

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25
Q

Why would retrograde transport occur in an axon?

A

To enable target derived growth factors to reach their target
e.g. a nerve growth factor to reach the nucleus in order to aid survival

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26
Q

What molecules use slow axoplasmic transport?

A

Soluble proteins used as enzymes for intermediary metabolism
Cytoskeletal proteins

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27
Q

What is the main difference between slow and fast axoplasmic transport?

A

The number of interruptions (more in slow)

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28
Q

What technique is used to manipulate axoplasmic transport to visualise cells?

A

Injecting HRP in the brain ->
2 days later, after retrograde transport has occurred, HRP will label neurons

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29
Q

What are multiple dendritic branches converging together called?

A

Dendritic trees/arbors

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30
Q

What is the function of a dendritic spine?

A

To amplify the postsynaptic vesicles area to increase surface area

31
Q

Nissl stain: colour, identification

A

Cresyl violet
Neurons vs glia cytoarchitecture

32
Q

Golgi stain: colour, identification

A

Silver chromate
Highlights some neurons
Neuron doctrine (individual neuronal cells)

33
Q

Immunohistochemistry: identification, process

A

Fixed tissue
Antibodies
Fluorescent microscope

34
Q

How is live imaging of fluorescent dye carried out?

A

Genetically or injected

35
Q

What does the electron microscope display?

A

Synapses and organelles

36
Q

What is a retrograde tracer and what is its purpose?

A

HRP (identifies retrograde transport in axons)
Finds cell body location

37
Q

How can you classify neurons?

A

By structure
By gene expression

38
Q

How would neurons be classified by structure?

A

Number of neurites
Dendritic geometry
Projection of connections
Axon length

39
Q

How would neurons be classified by gene expression?

A

Underlying structural differences
Defining neurotransmitter expression

40
Q

What is a unipolar neuron?

A

One process
The peripheral process is part axon too
Small area for receiving synaptic input

41
Q

Example of a unipolar neurite

A

Dorsal root ganglion

42
Q

What is a bipolar neuron?

A

Two processes extending from opposite sides of the body
Small area for receiving synaptic input

43
Q

Example of bipolar neuron

A

Retinal bipolar cells

44
Q

What is a multipolar neuron?

A

Many dendritic processes
Large area for receiving synaptic input
High levels of convergence

45
Q

Function of relay/projection neuron?

A

Connect brain regions

46
Q

Function of local interneurons?

A

Process info in local circuits

47
Q

Function of Glia cells?

A

Fill the space around neurons (act as glue)

48
Q

What is an astrocyte?

A

A type of glial cell (radial glia cell) which holds a neuron in place
Control environment surrounding neurons
Spatial domains

49
Q

What are 6 subtypes of glial cells?

A

Fibrous
Protoplasmic
Radial
Muller
Bergmann
Ependymal

50
Q

What can astrocytes metabolise and supply?

A

Glycogen and lactate

51
Q

What is classed as a glycogen store of the brain?

A

Astrocytes

52
Q

What does an astrocytic endfoot take up?

A

Glucose

53
Q

How long is the supply of glycogen given by astrocytes?

A

5-10 mins

54
Q

What is a tripartite synapse function?

A

Terminates neurotransmitter activity
Recycles neurotransmitters to presynaptic vesicles

55
Q

What do astrocytes couple neuronal activity to?

A

Couple neuronal activity to blood supply

56
Q

What do astrocytes couple neuronal activity to?

A

Couple neuronal activity to blood supply

57
Q

What is a microglia?

A

A macrophage like glia which prunes the synapses

58
Q

What is synaptic pruning?

A

A Homeostatic function in the CNS which gets rid of synapses which aren’t in frequent use

59
Q

What is the reason for synaptic pruning?

A

To remove unnecessary neuronal structures from, the brain
Makes way for more complex and developed structures

60
Q

What is an oligodendrocyte?

A

The cells that form the myelin sheath of CNS axons

61
Q

What cells form the myelin sheath of the PNS?

A

Schwann cells

62
Q

What does a Schwann cell provide to a single axon?

A

A single myelin segment

63
Q

How is a myelin sheath formed?

A

Oligo cytoplasm wraps many times around the axon
Cytoplasm is squeezed out by compaction of layers

64
Q

Why do myelin sheaths maintain contact with glial cells?

A

Nourishment

65
Q

What is myelin’s function?

A

Insulation
Creates nodes of ranvier

66
Q

What is saltatory conduction?

A

Axons have gaps on them (nodes of ranvier) which allow electrical signals to ‘jump’ from node to node and increase the speed of their signal

67
Q

What are homeostatic cells in PNS called?

A

Satellite cells

68
Q

What are homeostatic cells in CNS called?

A

Astrocytes

69
Q

What are homeostatic cells in ENS called?

A

Enteric glia

70
Q

What are myelinating cells in CNS called?

A

Oligodendrocytes

71
Q

What are myelinating cells in PNS called?

A

Schwann cells

72
Q

What are phagocytic cells in CNS called?

A

Microglia

73
Q

What are phagocytic cells in PNS called?

A

Schwann cells and Macrophages

Neuro (25 decks)

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