Cellular Neuroanatomy (1) Flashcards

0
Q

Structural and functional unit of the NS

A

Neuron

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1
Q

2 principal cell types in nervous system

A

Neurons and glia

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2
Q

3 functions of glia

A
  1. Physical support ( protection)
  2. Electrical insulation
  3. Metabolic exchange b/n vascular system and NS
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3
Q

Function of neuronal cell body. Other name?

A

Produces proteins and provides metabolic function. Also called soma

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4
Q

Which neuronal structures receive input from other neurons.

A

Dendrites

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5
Q

What kind of inputs are are preferentially on to dendrites and dendritic spines?

A

Excitatory synaptic inputs

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6
Q

What three functions do dendritic spines serve as the anatomical substrate for?

A
  1. Synaptic transmission
  2. Synaptic plasticity
  3. Memory storage
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7
Q

How many axons does each neuron have? Function?

A

One and ONLY ONE axon. Axons conduct electrical output from one neuron to another.

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8
Q

How many dendritic spines may be on a dendrite?

A

Hundreds to thousands. Remember they are the small membranous protrusions from the dendrites themselves, sort of like microvilli.

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9
Q

Soma of neurons is esp. rich in what organelle?

A

Rough ER

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10
Q

What are Nissl bodies?

A

Basophilic masses consisting primarily of rough ER and ribosomes. Function is protein synthesis.

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11
Q

Positive Nissl stain indicates what 2 neuronal structures.

A
  1. Cell bodies

2. Proximal dendrites

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12
Q

Where is Nissl substance not found in neurons?

A

In the axon, beginning at the axonal hillock

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13
Q

Gray matter is _________ tissue and consists primarily of what two neuronal structures?

A

Unmyelinated; consists of Somas and Dendrites

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14
Q

White matter is ______ tissue; what neuronal structure does it primarily consist of?

A

Myelinated; consists of myelinated Axons

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15
Q

What organelles are present in the axonal hillock.

A

None!

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16
Q

What is the axonal initial segment?

A

Portion of axon from axonal hillock to beginning of myelination

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17
Q

Pseudounipolar neurons are typically found where?

A

In the PNS, as part of sensory neurons. Ex. - sensory neurons with cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglia

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18
Q

Where are multipolar neurons typically found

A

In the CNS. Ex. - pyramidal cells of cortical regions, Purkinje fibers of the cerebellum, or motoneurons

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19
Q

Local circuit interneurons, such as those in the retina are usually what type of neuron?

A

Bipolar

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20
Q

What type of cells integrate information and send long axons to other brain areas? Other two names for these?

A

Principal cells; also called projection neurons or Golgi type I cells

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21
Q

What is unique about interneurons? What other two names are they known as?

A

They do not send their axons out of the local brain area. Also called Local Circuit neurons or Golgi Type II cells (either no axon or short, local axon)

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22
Q

What are the two types of synaptic transmission?

A

Electrical and chemical

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23
Q

What structures are needed for electrical synapses to function?

A

Gap junctions

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24
Q

Most excitatory synapses in the brain are located on what structures?

A

Dendritic spines

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25
Q

What are the 4 types of synapse types?

A
  1. Axosomatic
  2. Axodendritic
  3. Axoaxonic
  4. Dendrodendritic

The neuromuscular junction is also one; axospinous is a subtype of axodendritic

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26
Q

What is unique about chemical synapses in vertebrates compared to electrical synapses?

A

Chemical synapses transmit information unidirectionally

27
Q

What is the presynaptic bouton or axonal varicosity?

A

Portion at end of axon where synaptic vesicles containing NT reside

28
Q

What are two examples of excitatory NTs?

A

Acetylcholine and glutamate

29
Q

How do excitatory NTs work?

A

Depolarize the postsynaptic neuron to increase probability of firing

30
Q

What are two main inhibitory NTs?

A

Glycine and GABA

31
Q

What are two examples of modulatory NTs?

A

Dopamine and NE

32
Q

Excitatory synapses are also called what? These are asymmetric, what does this mean?

A

Gray’s Type I. Asymmetric means they have a more pronounced density in the postsynaptic membrane than in the presynaptic membrane

33
Q

Where are type I synapses normally found?

A

On dendrites

34
Q

Gray’s type II synapses are what kind? Where are they found?

A

Inhibitory. Usually found on somas

35
Q

What proteins are gap junctions composed of?

A

Connexons

36
Q

What molecules make up connexons? How many?

A

Connexins. 6 connexins make up a connexon

37
Q

What protein is responsible for anterograde axonal transport?

A

Kinesin

38
Q

What protein is responsible for retrograde axonal transport?

A

Dynein

39
Q

What cells provide myelination in the PNS?

A

Schwann cells

40
Q

What cells provide myelination in the CNS?

A

Oligodendrocytes

41
Q

What cells provide metabolic exchange and serve as a part of the BBB? What two types are there?

A

Astrocytes. Fibrous and protoplasmic types exist.

42
Q

What cells serve as phagocytic and inflammatory cells in the CNS? What germ layer are they derived from?

A

Microglia. Derived from mesoderm, like monocytes.

43
Q

What cells are the stem cells for glia and neurons?

A

Polydendrocytes

44
Q

What cells line ventricles?

A

Ependymal cells. Are cuboidal to low columnar epithelial cells

45
Q

How many internodes does a Schwann cell form? Does Schwann cell myelin contact the Schwann cell soma?

A
  1. (Schwann cells myelinate only one portion of one neuron). The Schwann cell myelin IS in contact with the Schwann cell soma
46
Q

What is a Schmidt-Lanterman cleft, or incisure?

A

Small folds of cytosol that support the myelin; allow for continuity of cytoplasm despite the cell being wrapped tightly around the axon

47
Q

What two Schwann cell pockets overhang the paranormal and nodal portion of the axon?

A
  1. Microvilli

2. Schwann cell pockets ( or paranormal loops)

48
Q

What is endoneurium?

A

Thin layer of CT that surrounds each individual nerve fiber

49
Q

What is perineurium?

A

CT layer covering entire nerve fascicle

50
Q

How many internodes can one oligodendrocyte form? What similarity do they have to Schwann cells?

A

30-50 internodes, but like Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes can only form one internode per neuron. What is different is that they can myelinate several axons per oligodendrocyte.

51
Q

What is different about unmyelinated neurons in the PNS compared to those in the CNS?

A

In the PNS, they are protected by Schwann cells (one Schwann cell can loosely envelope a few unmyelinated nerve, but they do not tightly wrap around, so don’t really insulate them). In the CNS, unmyelinated neurons are completely unprotected.

52
Q

Other than maintenance of BBB, what 2 processes are astrocytes involved in?

A
  1. Angiogenesis

2. Synaptogenesis

53
Q

What is the purpose of the metabolic exchange astrocytes carry out?

A

Maintain constant ionic concentrations for optimal neuronal function

54
Q

What are Radial glia?

A

Sub population of astrocytes that provides direction and scaffolding for axon migration and development

55
Q

How are astrocytes involved in the tripartite synapse?

A

They are involved in NT release into the synaptic cleft and also have NT receptors themselves

56
Q

How do astrocytes communicate with each other?

A

Via Ca2+ release, spread by gap junctions

57
Q

Which astrocytes are found in white matter?

A

Fibrous. These have vascular feet that connect them to outside of vascular walls

58
Q

What astrocytes are found in grey matter?

A

Protoplasmic. These are the most common overall

59
Q

What are two types of radial astrocytes that persist into adulthood?

A
  1. Mueller cells ( in retina)

2. Bergman glia ( cerebellum)

60
Q

Which cells function as astrocytes in the PNS? What cells are they derived from?

A

Satellite cells. Derived from neural crest cells. Usually surround the entire soma of ganglia cells ( are around the pseudounipolar cells of peripheral ganglia). Are small cuboidal cells

61
Q

Other than ventricles of the brain, what do ependymal cells line?

A

Central canal of spinal cord.

62
Q

The apical surface of ependymal cells is covered by what?

A

Cilia and microvilli

63
Q

What do the basal surfaces of ependymal cells contact?

A

Astrocytes

64
Q

Why is it important that ependymal cells don’t have tight junctions?

A

Allows for free exchange between CSF and neural tissue