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NSCI 201 > Course intro > Flashcards

Course intro Flashcards

1
Q

Neuroscience asks questions about…

A

how nervous systems of humans and animals are organized, developed and how they function to generate behaviour

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2
Q

Tool used by neuroscientists to attempt to answer questions about the NS:

A 
Genetics & genomics
Molecular & cell biology
Physiology
Psychology 
Anatomy
Computer science
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3
Q

3 neural systems:

A
  1. Sensory systems
  2. Motor systems
  3. Associational systems
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4
Q

Sensory systems

A

Type 1 of neural systems

Report info about the state of the organism and its environment

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5
Q

Motor systems

A

Type 2 of neural systems

Organize and generate actions

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6
Q

Associational systems

A

Type 3 of neural systems

Provide ‘higher order’ brain functions (perception, attention, memory, emotions, language and thinking)

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7
Q

Human nervous system is divided into… (2)

A
  1. CNS

2. PNS

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8
Q

CNS includes

A

Brain

Spinal cord

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9
Q

PNS includes

A

Sensory neurons
Somatic motor division
Visceral/autonomic motor division

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10
Q

Camillo Golgi

A

Soaked brain in silver chromate sol. = cells became fully filled with dark colour
Supported ‘reticular theory’ (neurons form a network)

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11
Q

Reticular theory

A

Neurons form a network

Supported by Camillo Golgi (silver chromate sol.)

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12
Q

Ramon y Cajal

A

Supported ‘neuron doctrine’ (neurons = smallest unit)

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13
Q

Neuron doctrine

A

Against reticular theory
Neurons communicate at specialized contact points rather than through physical continuity
Supported by Ramon y Cajal and Charles Sherrington

Ultimate proof required development of electron microscopy (1950s) to visualize synapses and confirm that neurons are discrete entities

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14
Q

Charles Sherrington

A

Early 1900s
Identified point of communication of neurons as ‘synapses’
Supported ‘neuron doctrine’

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15
Q

2 primary cells of the brain

A
  1. Neurons

2. Glia

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16
Q

Neurons

A

Process information
Sense environmental changes
Communicate changes to other neurons via electrical signaling
Control bodily responses

*chocolate chips!

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17
Q

Glia

A

Support signalling functions of neurons
Insulate, nourish repair neurons

Maintaining the ionic milieu of neurons
Modulating the rate of AP propagation
Modulating synaptic transmission by regulating neurotransmitter uptake & metabolism at the synaptic cleft
Regulating recovery from neural injury
Interface between brain & Immune system
Facilitating flow of interstitial fluid through the brain during sleep

  • Batter in chocolate chip cookies!
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18
Q

Types of cell morphologies (6)

A
  1. Cortical pyramidal cell
  2. Retinal bipolar cell
  3. Retinal gonglion cell
  4. Retinal amacrine cell
  5. Neurons in mesencephalic nucleus of cranial nerve V
  6. Cerebellar Purkinje cells
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19
Q

Small dendrites mean…

A

that the neurons purpose is to rely information

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20
Q

Bigger dendrites mean…

A

that the neurons purpose is to integrate information

21
Q

Dendrites

A

Primary target for synaptic input from axons terminals of other neurons
Extensive branching that differs between neuron types
Complexity depends on the number of inputs a neuron receives
Complexity determines capacity to integrate information from many sources

22
Q

Axon

A

Signal transduction from cell body; reads out information
Most neurons have only one that extends for a long distance
Some branching
Site of output to other neurons

Can branch to innervate multiple post-synaptic sites on multiple neurons

23
Q

Action potential

A

Electrical event that carries signals
‘Spikes’ = ‘All or nothing’
Changes in electrical potential across the neuronal cell membrane

24
Q

Pre-synaptic terminal

A

Where molecules are secreted into synaptic cleft

25
Q

Post-synaptic specialization

A

Contains receptors where molecules bind

26
Q

Synaptic cleft

A

Space between pre and post-synaptic terminals

27
Q

2 types of extensive branching in neurons

A
  1. Dendrites

2. Axons

28
Q

The axon is specialized for…

A

relaying electrical signals over long distances

29
Q

Axons in local interneurons are…

A

VERY SHORT

30
Q

Axons from humans spinal cords to the doot are…

A

A METER LONG

31
Q

Synapse

A

Specialized structures for communication between neurons

32
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Specialized molecules that are released from the presynaptic terminal, cross the synaptic cleft and bind receptors in the post-synaptic density

33
Q

Nodes of Ranvier

A

Gaps in the myelination of axons where action potential are regenerated (AP jumps from node to node)

34
Q

Types of Glia cells (5)

A
  1. Astrocytes
  2. Oligodendrocytes
  3. Schwann cells
  4. Microglia
  5. Glial stem cells
35
Q

Astrocytes

A

Type 1 of glia cells

Brain and spinal cord
Major function: maintain appropriate chemical environment for neuronal signaling, including formation of the blood-brain barrier
Recent evidence suggests astrocytes secrete substances to influence construction of new synaptic connections

36
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

Type 2 of glia cells

Brain and spinal cord
Lay down myelin around axons - so regulate speed of transmission of AP

*in Parkinson’s disease = degeneration of oligodendrocytes

37
Q

Schwann cells

A

Type 3 of glia cells

Provide myelin sheath in PNS

38
Q

Microglia

A

Type 4 of glia cells

Remove cellular debris from sites of injury or cell turnover
Secrete signalling molecules (cytokines! = immune signaling molecules)

39
Q

Glial stem cells

A

Retain capacity to proliferate and generate additional precursor cells or differentiated glia cells/neurons

40
Q

Do neurons act alone?

A

NO! because there are neural circuits!

41
Q

What is a neural circuit?

A

Group of diverse subsets of neurons that process specific types of information
Each neural circuit has its own arrangement, depending on its function

42
Q

Basic components of neural circuits (3)

A
  1. Afferent neurons
  2. Interneurons
  3. Efferent neurons

*Direction of information fflow defines all circuits

43
Q

Afferent neurons

A

Carry the information towards CNS

44
Q

Efferent neurons

A

Carry information away from CNS

45
Q

Interneurons

A

Participate in local aspects of circuit funciton

46
Q

Sensory systems are to ________ neurons as movements are to ________ neurons.

A

Afferent

Efferent

47
Q

Knee-Jerk response is a simple…

A

reflex circuit

48
Q

Explain the knee-jerk reflex circuit

A
  1. Hammer tap stretchers tendon, which in turn stretches sensory receptors in leg extensor muscle
  2. Sensory neuron synapses excite motor neuron in the spinal cord AND spinal interneuron
  3. Interneuron synapses inhibit neuron to flexor muscles
  4. Motor neuron conducts AP to synapses on extensor msucle fibers, causing contraction
  5. Flexor muscle relaxes because the activity of its motor neurons has been inhibited
  6. Leg extends

NSCI 201 (3 decks)

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