Cerebral Cortex from Cell Flashcards
Name some examples of unmyelinated axons?
Sensory fibres carrying pain, temp and itch
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
An auto-immune disease where the immune system causes an a T cell/macrophage mediated attack on myelin causing demyelination. This slows propagation and causes crosstalk.
What is the difference between white and grey matter?
White matter - Collection of myelinated nerve fibres.
Grey matter - Neuron cell bodies, processes and synapses. Has very little myelin so appears grey
What are the Glial cells of the CNS and PNS?
CNC - Oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia, and ependyma.
PSNS - Schwann and satellite cells
What are the functions of astrocytes?
- Metabolic and structural support.
- Controls water distribution,
- Potassium buffering,
- Reactive oxygen species scavenging.
- Maintains BBB
What makes up the BBB?
Endothelial cells and their tight junctions. The integrity is maintain by astrocyte end feet.
What is the function of microglial cells?
They are resident macrophages of the CNS so their functions are phagocytosis and antigen presentation as well as synaptic pruning.
What are ependymal cells?
Ciliated cuboidal epithelial cells that line the ventricles and secrete CSF
What are the layers of the cerebral cortex?
- Molecular,
- External granular (input from other cortex areas),
- External pyramidal (output to other cortex areas),
- Internal granular (input from thalamus),
- Internal pyramidal (output to brainstem and spinal cord),
- Multiform
What is the difference between stellate interneurons and pyramidal neurons and where are they found?
Stellate interneurons are responsible for input and processing, they are found in the granular layers.
Pyramidal neurons are found in pyramidal layers are these are responsible for output.
Where is the primary visual cortex?
It is at the back of the occipital lobe.
what are some examples of association visual cortex areas?
Motion, objection recognition, depth and binocular patterns and faces
What is the difference between primary areas and association areas?
Primary - direct processing of info and preforms task.
Association - plans and integrates information for the primary area.
Where is the primary motor cortex located and what is its function?
It is located anteriorly to the central sulcus (precentral gyrus). It has direct control of motor activity (force, direction and speed of muscle contraction)
What are the association motor cortex regions?
Supplementary motor area (plans complex tasks), the premotor area (preparation for action eg, posture and gait) and the posterior parietal cortex which integrates visual info to formulate motor commands)
