Chapter 10 and 11 Review Flashcards
Neural tissue consists of:
neurons and larger number of neuroglial cells. Neurons are amitotic, neuroglial are mitotic.
Neurons
functional unit of the nervous system
Neuroglia Cells
supportive & nutritive cells
Gross division of the Nervous System
Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
CNS
Central Nervous System consists of the brain & spinal cord and function with integrating signals.
PNS
Peripheral Nervous System: spinal nerves exiting from and returning to the CNS. Nerves emerging from the brain/brainstem are known as cranial nerves.
Efferent neurons
are conducting cells that carry information from the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to muscles and organs throughout the body.
Afferent neurons
are sensory neurons that carry nerve impulses from sensory stimuli towards the central nervous system and brain, while efferent neurons are motor neurons that carry neural impulses away from the central nervous systme and towards muscles to cause movement.
Receptors
Functional division of the nervous system. Sensory structures (may be neural or specialized epithelial cells) which detect stimuli (environmental changes).
Afferent division of the PNS:
/or sensory. Neurons carrying signals from receptors to the CNS.
Integration of sensory signals are achieved in:
the CNS and an appropriate response is initiated.
Efferent division of the PNS
/or motor. eurons which arises from the CNS bringing motor commands to target organs (e.g.- glands or muscles).
Two types of efferent neutrons are:
- Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
2. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
sends motor signals to Skeletal Muscles which are largely voluntary movements, and receives sensations which we perceive.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
sends motor signals to and receives sensory signals from visceral organs in which regulation is automatic (e.g.- smooth muscle, cardiac and glandular secretion). The ANS has two basic divisions which are antagonistic in action: Sympathetic & Parasympathetic.
Anatomy of neurons:
consisting of the following features:
- Soma (cell body)
- Axon
- Synapse
Soma (Cell Body)
is the wide region of the neuron which contains a central Nucleus. Congregation of nuclei in CNS is referred to as nuclei, in the PNS is called ganglia.
Perikaryon
is cytoplasm, which is filled w/neurofilaments & neurotubules, mitochondria and Nissl bodies (ribosomes).
Grated Channels
Transmembraneous proteins are present on the neurolemma (cell membrane)
- Passive Channels
- Chemical-regulated channels
- Mechanical-regulated channels
Dendrites
slender, sensitive processes which receives signals from other neurons or receptors and transmitting them to the soma. They contain chemical & mechanical-regulated channels.
Passive Channels
are always open to allow the flow of some molecules.
Chemical-regulated channels
activated by ligands (eg- neurotransmittors)
Mechanical-regulated channels
activated by mechanical stress (eg- stretch or presure).
Axon
cytoplasmic extension from soma, carrying signal away from soma to telendendria.
Axolemma
Axon membrane which contains voltage-regulated Na+ channels serving as the basis for the propagation of a wave of depolarization known as an action potential.
Axoplasm
cytoplasm of the axon.
Axon Hillock
is the thickened portion of soma at the base of the axon.
Initial Segment
region of hillock that contains voltage gates to initiate an action potential.
Collaterals
several branches that emerge from the axon to produce several terminal branches.
Telodendria
fine extensions at the end of the axon which contain swellings referred to as synaptic knobs (terminal) which release vesicles of neurotransmitters by exocytosis.
Synapse
site where neurotransmitters are released from synaptic terminals and diffuse across a cleft to bind a receptor on an opposing membrane (muscle or neuron).
Physiological considerations of synaptic events:
- Presynaptic vesicles
- Postsynaptic receptors
- Clearing of Neurotransmitters from synapse:
- Axoplasmic transport
Presynaptic vesicles
once action potential reaches synaptic terminal, voltage-regulated Ca+2gates open resulting in intracellular Ca+2 initiating exocytosis of neurotransmitter vesicles.
Postsynaptic receptors
bind to ligand in synaptic cleft and will either open an ion channel that will either result in depolarization or hyperpolarization. Hence the effect of a neurotransmitter is dependent on the receptor, more so than the neurotransmitter itself.
Clearing of Neurotransmitters from synapse:
enzymes in the synaptic cleft metabolize the free neurotransmitters, after which neurotransmitters may be absorbed by the neuron.
Axoplasmic transport
refers to movement of substance through the axon:
- Antegrade axoplasmic transport
- Retrograde axoplasmic transport
Antegrade axoplasmic transport
substances flow from soma to telodendria (eg- neurotransmitters).
Retrograde axoplasmic transport
substances flow from telodendria to soma (eg- return of neurotransmitter metabolites which were reabsorbed for recycling.
Anaxonic
from brain & special senses, it contains many branches from soma, axon not discernable from dendrites.
Structural Classification of Neurons
- Anaxonic
- Bipolar neurons
- Unipolar neurons
- Multipolar neurons
Bipolar neurons
rom special sense organs for vision, smell, taste & hearing- long dendritic pole from one end of soma, and long axonal pole at other end.
Unipolar neurons
the main sensory nerve of the SNS- one branch emerges from soma and then extends in two directons. In effect the dendrite conducts through the axon to the synapse, with one branch communicating with the soma.
Multipolar neurons
the main motor neuron of the SNS- many dendrites receive converging signals before passing stimulation down long slender axon to telondendria.
Functional Classification of Neurons:
- Sensory (Afferent) Neurons
- Motor (Efferent) Neurons
- Interneurons (association fibers)
Sensory (Afferent) Neurons
deliver information to CNS for integration.
a. Interoceptors
b. Exteroceptors
c. Proprioceptors
Interoceptors
monitor changes occurring internally.
Exteroceptors
monitor changes occurring externally.
Proprioceptors
monitor changes occurring in skeletal muscles & joints (position sense).
Motor (Efferent) Neurons
integrated response from CNS to skeletal muscle or viscera.
a. Somatic Motor Neurons
b. Visceral Motor Neurons
Somatic Motor Neurons
carries volitional commands to innervate skeletal muscle.
Visceral Motor Neurons
from ANS innervates viscera (eg- heart, lungs, glands). These neurons arise from the CNS as preganglionic nerves and synapse in ganglia (cluster of neuronal cell bodies) following which postganglionic nerves synapse w/viscera.
Interneurons (association fibers)
short neurons of the CNS (& autonomic ganglia), that quickly synapse with other neurons distributing sensory & coordinating muscular activity.
Neuroglia
non-conductive neural supportive tissue of nervous which out-number neurons.
Neuroglia of CNS types:
- Ependymal cells
- Astrocytes
- Oligodendrocytes
- Microglia
Ependymal cells
create epithelial linings of the ventricles of brain and central canal of spinal cord. They are responsible for secreting Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) which both cushions neural tissue and transports nutrients & wastes.
Astrocytes
most common glial cell. It is packed with myofibrils and have several functions:
a. Blood-Brain Barrier
b. Structural Framework
c. Repair of neural tissue
d. Controls neural interstitial environment
Oligodendrocytes
have long slender cytoplasmic extensions that can wrap around different axons producing a membranous insulation known as a Myelin Sheath.
a. Internodes
b. Nodes of Ranvier
c. Saltatory conduction
d. White Matter of CNS
Microglia
CNS macrophages of mesodermal origin which serves to engulf & eliminate waste products and pathogens within CNC.
Blood Brain Barrier
wrap around capillaries controlling exchange of nutrients.
Repair of neural tissue:
repair in CNS is limited, astrocytes fill lesion w/scarring to prevent further damage.
Structural framework of Astrocytes
support neurons for advancing growth and synapse.
c. Repair of neural tissue
Controls neural interstitial environment
by adjusting blood flow and contacting both capillaries and neurons.
Internodes
section of axon containing myelin sheath (impervious to ion exchange)
Nodes of Ranvier
axonal spaces in between myelin which allows for ion exchange and propagation of a wave of depolarization.
Saltatory conduction
whereby wave of depolarization is quicker when it jumps for node to node on a myelinated axon.
White Matter of CNS
due to preponderance of myelinated axons, whereby grey matter of CNS is devoid of myelin (mainly containing cell bodies).
Neuroglia of PNS
Two types:
- Satellite Cells
- Schwan Cells
Satellite Cells
found in ganglia regulating neural environment for soma.
Schwan Cells
send out flat cytoplasmic extensions which wrap continual wrap around a region of axon to produce an internode of myelin it takes several Schwann cells to myelinate an axon:
a. Neurilemma b. Several non-myelinated neurons are still supported by Schwan cells, even though they do not provide electrical insulation.
Neurilemma
is the outermost portion of the remaining schwan cell (w/its nucleus) after forming a myelin sheath about the axon.
Transmembrane potential
exists owing to a difference in electrical charges across the membrane, thus creating potential energy which fluctuates depending on membrane permeability.
Resting Membrane Potential
at rest the neuron is more negative on the inside, -70 mv.
Active Na+/K+ pump (RMP)
removes 3 Na+ and admits 2 K+ into cell, while negatively charged proteins also contribute to negativity.
Chemical gradient (RMP)
favors the influx of Na+ and the efflux of K+; however as the membrane is more permeable to K+, the cell gets more negative with K+ efflux.
Electrical gradient (RMP)
favors influx of both Na+ & K+, but again Na+ cannot enter, electrical gradient slow K+ efflux. Membrane is said to have electrical resistance so potential remains.
Electrochemical gradient (RMP)
is the net sum of both gradients working together. Note however that the neuron is only semipermeable to ions, & less permeable to Na+. If the cell was completely permeable to Na+, membrane potential would be about +66mv.
Graded (local) Potential
produced from chemical &/or mechanical gates about the dendrites and soma which open ion gates to produce a local graded current. The gate may let Na+ or Ca+2 in making the cell more positive (depolarizing) or the gate may allow Cl- in or K+ out making the cell more negative (hyperpolarizing). The greater the stimulus, the greater the electrical change.
Local currents
the electrical changes produced by chemical or mechanical gates merely spread locally, but are not propagated down the neuron.
Repolarization
once chemical or electrical stimulus is removed, the cell returns to resting potential.
Summation of graded potentials
several chemical & mechanical gates can be activated producing either hyperpolarization or depolarization, the effects are summated.
Spatial Summation
Many gates are stimulated at same time.
Temporal Summation
One gate is stimulated with greater frequency.
Action Potential
If summation of the local current creates a threshold potential at the axon hillock, Na+ voltage-gated channels will initiate a propagated wave of depolarization. This is an All-or-None response once threshold voltage is reached to open the voltage gate.
Sequence of action Potential
- Depolarization to threshold
- Sodium influx
- Inactivation of voltage-gated channel
- Return to normal permeability
Depolarization to threshold
- first step
- graded potentials result in depolarization to threshold at the initial segment w/in the hillock.
Sodium influx
- second step
- at threshold voltage (about -60mv), Na+ activation gates open allowing large influx of Na+ such that cell depolarizes to about +30mv.
Inactivation of voltage-gated channel
- third step
- Once depolarization rises above 0mv’s, Na+ inactivation gates close, halting at this gate, but the neighboring voltage-gate now opens.
Return to normal permeability
- last/fourth step
- Once inactivation gate closes, Na+/K+ pump and leaking K+ channels open causing the repolarization (hyperpolarization) of the neuron potential.
Refractory Period
refers to the time in which a neuron will not respond to another stimulus:
a. Absolute Refractory Period
b. Relative Refractory Period
Absolute Refractory Period
neuron will not respond to stimuli while activation gates are already open or when inactivation gates are closed.
Relative Refractory Period
neuron will only respond to a suprathreshold stimuli, because K+ channels are still open and neuron is becoming hyperpolarized.
Propagation of Action Potential
occurs as the neighboring voltage gate reaches threshold
a. Continuous Propagation
b. Saltatory Propagation
Continuous Propagation
wave of depolarization along unmyelinated axon in which voltage gates are very close to each other.
Saltatory Propagation
wave of depolarization along myelinated fibers in which the voltage gates are located at each node of ranvier, so propagation jumps across internodes greatly increasing speed of conduction.
Axon diameter
also effects speed of transmission. Thicker axons pose less resistance.
Three types: Type A, Type B, Type C
Type A fibers
large myelinated fibers w/fastest transmission used for somatic sensory information to CNS and also Motor Neurons from CNS to skeletal muscle fibers.
Type B fibers
smaller myelinated fibers which are slower than type A. Type B fibers are found in preganglionic motor axons of the ANS.
Type C fibers
are the smallest fibers and are unmyelinated, so they are the slowest fibers. They conduct sensory impulses from pain and also postganglionic motor axons of ANS.
Synaptic Activity
after propagation of action potential along an axon, the message must continue to another neuron or effector cell. Vesicles are released by exocytosis owing to intracellular Ca+2 which is elevated owing to stimulation of voltage-regulated Ca+2 gates in synaptic knobs.
Chemical Synapse
refers to the release of neurotransmitters from terminal axon synaptic bulbs which bind receptors on other neurons or effector cells to result in a graded hyperpolarization or depolarization.
Acetylcholine
The most common neurotransmitter is acetylcholine (Ach)
Cholinergic synapse
Acetylcholine vesicles are released at the synaptic knob by exocytosis as Cholinergic synapses are found:
a. Neuromuscular junction of SNS (always depolarizing).
b. Neuron to neuron in PNS
c. Preganglionic neurons of ANS (always depolarizing).
d. Postganglionic Parasympathetic neurons (can be hyperpolarizing or depolarizing).
e. Many synapses w/in CNS.