Chapter 1 Flashcards
Genomics
Analysis of complete DNA sequences, both coding & regulatory, for a species
Genes in human genome
20,000
Genes related to brain in numans
14,000
Brain expressed genes
6,000
The 4 model species used for study of neuroscience and genetics
Nematode worm, fruit fly drosophila, , zebrafish, and the mouse (like humans, a majority of their. Amenable to genetic and genomic manipulations.
Electron Microscopy
Allowed scientists to see that neuron was a single unit
Histology
The study of microscopic parts of animal/plant cell and tissue
Cells of nervous system fit into 2 broad categories
Neurons (Nerve Cells) and Glial Cells
Glial Cells
Support neurons (nerve cells). Repair damaged cells (act as stem cells)
Mitochondria located
Mostly synapses
Protein-synthetic organelles like Endoplasmic Reticulum
Excluded from axons/dendrites.
Cell body.
Estimated neurons in brain
10 E 11
Cortical Pyramidal Cell
Cortex, amygdala, hippocampus. Pyramidal shaped body. Apical dendrite and basal dendrites.
Cerebellar Purkinje Cells
Single, highly branched apical dendrite. Cerebellum. Largest neurons. Domino stacked. GABAergic. Inhibitory. Motor function.
Ribosomes
Heavily concentrated in dendrites
Dendrites
Primary targets for synaptic input from axon terminals. High concentration of ribosomes. Special cytoskeleton.
Convergence in relation to a neurons inputs?
Number of inputs received by a single neuron. Lots of dendrite branches, lots of input
Divergence in relation to neuron’s inputs
Number of targets innervated by any one single neuron.
Fundamental purpose of neurons
to relay and integrate information
Synaptic transmission
Chemical AND electrical processes by which the information encoded by AP is passed on at synaptic contacts to target cells
Glia cells vs Neurons
Glia are more numerous than neurons (3 to 1)
Four classes of glial cells in CNS:
- Oligodendrocytes (Schwann Cells in PNS) - make myelin, which are laminate lipid layer on axon.
- Astrocytes - start shaped, maintain chemical environment for neurons. Stem cell ability.
- Microglia - macrophages. Repair & destroy., secrete cytokines, hematopoietic are their precursor
- Glial stem cells - Astrocyte type can differentiate into all types including neurons, Oligodendrocyte is more limited
Nissl Substance
Composed of Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum. In neuron body. Granules. Protein synthesis.