Chapter 12 part 3 Flashcards
what are ganglia?
masses of cell bodies of neurons of the PNS
satellite cells could also be called…
amphicytes
Schwaan cells could also be called…
neurilemma cells
what is the function of satellite cells/amphicytes
they surround neuron cell bodies in the ganglia. they regulate the environment around the neurons, similar to astrocytes in the CNS
what is the function of Schwaan/neurilemma cells
form a sheath around peripheral axons
whenever a schwaan cell covers an axon, the outer surface of the schwaan cell is called the ____
neurilemma
most AXONS in the PNS are shielded from contact with the interstitial fluid by what?
Schwaan cells
what is the difference between the myelination capabilities of Schwaan cells and oligodendrocytes
Schwaan cells (PNS) can only myelinate 1 segment of a single axon
oligodendrocytes in the CNS can myelinate portions of several adjacent axons
explain what happens when a neuron is injured
in the cell body, Nissl bodies disperse and the nucleus moves away from its centralized location as the cell increases its rate of protein synthesis. if the neuron recovers its functional abilities, it will regain its normal appearance
the KEY to recovery of a neuron appears to be events where?
in the axon
if the pressure applied during a crushing injury reduces local blood flow, the axonal membrane will become unexcitable
if the pressure is alleviated after an hour or 2, the neuron will recover within a few weeks.
more severe or prolonged pressure produces effects similar to if an axon had been cut
in the PNS, ______ cells play a role in repairing damaged nerves
Schwaan cells
explain how Schwaan cells help to repair damaged nerves in the PNS and what this process is called
Wallerian degeneration
the axon distal to the site of injury degenerates, and macrophages migrate to the area to clean up the debris.
However, the Schwaan cells that were wrapping the axon do not degenerate. They proliferate and form a solid cellular cord that follows the path of the original axon. As the neuron recovers, its axon grows into the site of injury and the Schwaan cells wrap around the axon
if the axon grows along the appropriate cord of Schwaan cells, it may reestablish its normal synaptic contacts.
however, if it stops growing or wanders in a new direction, normal function will not return
the regenerating, growing axon is more likely to arrive at its appropriate destination if….
the cut edges of the original nerve bundle REMAIN IN CONTACT
WHY is regeneration more complicated in the CNS? give 3 reasons
-many more axons are likely to be involved
-astrocytes produce scar tissue that can prevent axon growth across the damaged area
-astrocytes release chemicals that prevent the growth of axons
what is the “resting potential”
the transmembrane potential of a resting cell
ALL NEURAL ACTIVITIES begin with what event?
a change in the resting potential of a neuron
what is the graded potential?
the effect of a stimulus decreases with distance from the stimulus
if the ______ is large enough, an action potential will be triggered in the membrane of the axon
graded potentia
what is an action potential?
an electrical impulse that is propagated (spread) along the surface of an axon and does NOT diminish as it moves away from its source
an action potential travels along 1 synapse or multiple?
one or more
explain what synaptic activity is
the presynaptic cell typically releases neurotransmitters. these chemicals bind to receptors on the postsynaptic plasma membrane, changing its permeability and producing graded potentials in the plasma membrane of the postsynaptic cell
the response of the postsynaptic cell ultimately depends on….
what the stimulated receptors do and what other stimuli are influencing the cell at the same time
this is called information processing
the extracellular fluid contains high concentrations of ___ and ___, whereas the cytosol contains high concentrations of _____ and ___
extracellular – sodium ions and chloride ions
intracellular – potassium ions and negatively charged proteins
can ions move freely across the lipid portions of the plasma membrane?
no – they need channels
at the resting potential, ions move through ______
leak channels – membrane channels that are always open
the sodium-potassium exchange pump is a ___ mechanism
active transport
the sodium potassium exchange pump brings what in and out?
2 k in
3 na out
is a cell more negative on the inside or outside
inside
explain the passive forces acting across the plasma membrane
chemical gradients and electrical gradients
how do…
potassium ions…..
sodium ions…..
move into/out of the cell based on CHEMICAL GRADIENT
potassium ion concentration tends to be high inside of the cell, so they tend to move out of the cell through open potassium channels
IN CONTRAST,
Na+ concentration tends to be high OUTSIDE of the cell, so a chemical gradient drives them INTO the cell