Different Cell Types

Question 1

What are Neurons and process?

Answer 1

Specialised for intercellular electrical signalling

Dendrites receive inputs and transmit to Soma

Question 2

What are the 2 types of Neuron?

Answer 2

1) Chemical (Majority)

2) Electrical: Less abundant, enable synchronised brain activity

Question 3

What are the 3 types of glial cells in the CNS?

Answer 3

1) Oligodendrocytes
2) Astrocytes
3) Microglia

Question 4

What is the role of Oligodendrocytes?

Answer 4

Myelination of CNS cells, insulating multiple axonal segmentals

Question 5

What are the function of Microglia?

Answer 5

Immune cells of CNS –> Phagocytic and Surveillance

Question 6

What are the functions of Astrocytes?

Answer 6

Metabolic support, Homeostatic, Envelope Synapses, Blood brain barrier and Structure (Micro-architecture)

Question 7

What are the 2 types of Astrocytes?

Answer 7

1) Fibrous: White matter, contact blood vessels, pia and NoR

2) Protoplasmic: Contact BV and Pia (grey matter)

Question 8

What are the 3 specialised astrocytes?

Answer 8

1) Radial Glia: Brain development
2) Bergman Glia (Cerebellum)
3) Müller Cells: Retina

Question 9

What are axons gathered into in the CNS?

Answer 9

Tracts

Question 10

What are tracts that cross midline?

Answer 10

Commissures

Question 11

Role of Ependymal Cells?

Answer 11

CSF production, flow and absorption

(ciliated) and allow solute exchange between CSF and nervous tissue

Question 12

What happens at choroid plexus?

Answer 12

Main site CSF production by plasma filtration

Formed from modified ependymal cells