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PSYC 211 > Chapter 2: CELLS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM > Flashcards

Chapter 2: CELLS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main difficulties with studying brain cells?

A
  • very small size (0.01-0.05mm)
  • consistency
  • uniform cream color
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2
Q

What is the widely used technique for the study of cells of the nervous system?

A

-Nissl staining: used to study the morphology and pathology of the nervous system, cytoarchitecture in the CNS.

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3
Q

Who are the two pioneers in this field?

A
  • Camillo Golgi

- Santiago Ramon y Cajal

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4
Q

What does the neuron doctrine state?

A

That the nervous system is composed of nerve cells each of which is a structural unit in contact with other units but not in continuity.

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5
Q

What are the two basic divisions of the nervous system ?

A
  • CNS (Central Nervous System): brain and spinal cord, communicates to the rest of the body through nerves.
  • PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)
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6
Q

What is the definition of a neuron and and what are it’s four structures?

A
  • Information-processing and information-transmitting element of the nervous system
  • 4 structures: cell body (soma). dendrites, axon, terminal buttons
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7
Q

Three types of neurons and functions?

A
  • Sensory, motor, inter.
    1. Sensory gather information from the environment
    2. Motor is responsible for movement and contraction of muscles.
    3. Inter neurons connect motor and sensory.
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8
Q

Different types of structures of neurons

A
  • Multipolar: A multipolar neuron is a type of neuron that possesses a single axon and many dendrites.
  • Bipolar: a neuron with only two extensions—an axon and a dendrite—that run from opposite sides of the cell body.
  • Unipolar: A unipolar neuron is a neuron in which only one process, called a neurite, extends from the cell body.
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9
Q

How is the soma of a neuron structured?

A
  • Contains the nucleus

- Shape varies in different kinds of neurons

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10
Q

What is the function and structure of dendrites?

A
  • treelike structure attached to the soma
  • receives information transmitted across synapse
  • Neurons “converse” with one another, and dendrites are recipients of these messages
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11
Q

What are the functions of dendritic spines?

A
  • Increase the number of possible contact points between neurons
  • Major substrate for brain plasticity
  • In many mental illnesses or intellectual disabilities, dendritic spine pathologies were found.
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12
Q

How does communication proceed in the synapse?

A
  • message sent from the terminal button, situated on the presynaptic cell.
  • message received on the membrane of the postsynaptic cell.
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13
Q

What does the axon do?

A
  • Carries information from the cell body to the terminal button
  • The basic message it carries is called an action potential. It runs on the surface of the axon.(it is both electrical and chemical)
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14
Q

What system in the action potential allows messages to travel within the axon?

A
  • axoplasmic transport: propels substances along the “tracks” that run inside the length of the axon.
  • anterograde transport: from the soma to the terminal buttons
  • retrograde transport: from the terminal buttons back to the soma.
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15
Q

What does the myelin sheath do?

A

surrounds axons and insulates them

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16
Q

What do the terminal buttons do?

A
  • secrete a chemical called neurotransmitters

- forms the synapse with other neurons

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17
Q

Structure and function of the membrane?

A
  • boundary of the neuron

- different kinds of proteins embedded in the membrane, which each serve different functions

18
Q

Structure and function of cytoskeleton?

A
  • matrix of strands of proteins
  • gives the neuron its shape
  • Thickest of the 3 kinds of protein strands: microtubules (structural support for the neuron, form the “tracks” for axoplasmic transport
19
Q

Structure and function of the cytoplasm?

A
  • fills the space surrounding the membrane, including the soma
  • contains organelles: one of them is the mitochondria, which produces a chemical called adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
20
Q

Structure and function of the nucleus?

A
  • contains chromosomes which are long strands of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
  • chromosomes: contain recipes for making protein
  • inside chromosome, gene: contains recipes for individual protein
21
Q

Function of proteins?

A

-serve as enzymes: direct the chemical processes of a cell by controlling chemical reactions

22
Q

What are the neurons surrounded of?

A
  • a cellular membrane

- made of a self-organizing phospholipid bilayer

23
Q

What are the different numbers of neurites a neuron can have?

A
  • Anaxonic: no axon
  • Unipolar: single neurite
  • Bipolar: two neurite
  • Multipolar: more than two neurites
24
Q

What different morphology can neurons have?

A
  • 2 shapes: stellate cells(star-shaped), and pyramidal cells (pyramid-shaped)
  • spiny or aspinous.
25
Q

What are the neuron that command voluntary movement?

A

-Cholinergic: releases acetycholine at synapses

26
Q

Function of adrenaline?

A

Fight or flight

27
Q

Function of noradrenaline?

A

concentration

28
Q

Function of dopamine?

A

pleasure

29
Q

Function of serotonin?

A

Mood

30
Q

Function of Gaba?

A

calming

31
Q

Fucntion of acetylcholine?

A

Learning

32
Q

Function of Glutamate?

A

Memory

33
Q

Function of endorphins?

A

Euphoria

34
Q

Why do neurons need supporting cells?

A
  • very high rate of metabolism but no means of storing nutrients
  • cells support and protect neurons: they are important to our existence
35
Q

What is the overall function of glia?

A

-surround neurons, hold them in place, control their supply of nutrients.

36
Q

What do astrocytes do?

A
  • type of glial cell (most numerous)
  • Fill spaces between neurons
  • Provide physical support to neurons and cleans up debris within the brain
  • Regulate chemical content of extracellular space
37
Q

What is the function of the blood-brain barrier?

A
  • selectively permeable
  • It is produced by the cells in walls of brain’s capillaries
  • Regulates the composition of extracellular fluid which allows transmission of messages from place to place.
38
Q

What is the region in the blood-brain barrier where the barrier is weak?

A
  • Area postrema

- Can detect toxic substances entering the blood and induce vomiting.

39
Q

What are ependymal cells?

A
  • type of glia
  • line brain ventricles
  • produce CSF (cerebrosipnal fluid cushions the brain and can remove metabolic waste)
  • role in directing developmental cell migration
  • protect against viral infections
  • May have stem/progenitor cell properties following injury
40
Q

What are microglia and what are their functions?

A
  • smallest of the glial cells
  • engulf and break down dead and dying neurons
  • serve as part of immune system, protect brain from invading microorganisms
  • Respond to pathogens and injury
  • But can be modified by systemic infection or inflammation: risk of neurodegenerative disease.
41
Q

What type of glial cells are responsible for myelinating the neurons?

A
  • Oligodentrocytes in the CNS : one cell can insulate many axon segments
  • Schwann cells in the PNS: one cell insulate a single axon segment: the entire cell surrounds the axon
42
Q

Why is myelination important?

A
  • conduction and propagation of nerve impulses
  • segments with no myelin sheath: node of Ranvier.
  • Hallmark of multiple sclerosis: disrupted myelin and oligodentrocytes

PSYC 211 (45 decks)

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