Cells of the Nervous System

Question 1

Role of Astrocyte?

Answer 1

Delivering nutrients to the neuron and removing waste products.

Also controlling the extracellular environment.

Controlling capillary blood flow, modulate flow of chemicals between blood and neurons

Repair and scarring of nerve cells following injury to these structures

Provide a buffer reserve of “fuel” for cells as they contain glycogen.

Question 2

Certain types of __1__ are capable of repair and recovery throughout the life of a cell.

Some __2__ cells can divide and form neurons, enabling a level of neuroregeneration.

By providing an environment that protects axon stumps from __3__ , ependymal cells allow alternate neuronal connections to be made.

Answer 2

1) Glia
2) Ependymal
3) Degeneration

Question 3

State the purpose of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells.

Answer 3

Both cells provide a myelin sheath around the axon of some neurons, insulating them to speed up information transfer.

Also contribute towards maintaining an optimal extracellular environment.

Question 4

__1__ cells act to maintain an optimal environment for __2__ function.

Glial cells provide __3__ support in the nervous system, supply __4__ from the blood, scavenge __5__ and dying __6__ cells, and make sure that neurons have enough room to carry out their information.

Answer 4

1) Glial
2) Neuronal
3) Structural
4) Nutrients
5) Debris
6) Nerve

Question 5

State the role of the neuron.

Answer 5

Transmitting and integrating information in the brain.

Question 6

Dendrites

Answer 6

A number of finely branched structures called dendrites that receive inputs from other neurons.

Question 7

Cell Body :

Answer 7

The cell body, or soma, contains the nucleus and other organelles.

The cell body is also the place where all the dendrites converge and their electrical inputs are combined.

Question 8

Axon:

Answer 8

A single (often long) process known as an axon which often branches to form terminals that contact other neurons or other cells.

Question 9

Terminals:

Answer 9

The endings of the axon through which many neurons signal information to the next cell, generally using chemical neurotransmitters.

Question 10

Role of Microglia?

Answer 10

Specialized immune cells

Makes up the main active immune defence mechanism in the CNS.

It is a particular type of macrophage (special white blood cells).

~
Scavenge cell debris from dying neurons and other glia. —This scavenging can be both good and bad.
1) it prevents the build-p of toxic waste substances
2) HOWEVER it may also contribute to neurodegeneration

First responders when there is damage to CNS

They constantly and rapidly reorganize their shape by changing their processes.
~ This allow them to very efficiently scan the local environment
~ Identify insults to the CNS (doesn’t change shape during this so not to disturb local neuronal circuits