drive - neurons and glial cells

Question 1

What are the 4 basic components that all neurons have?

Answer 1

Dendrites

Cell body/soma

Axon

Presynaptic terminal

Question 2

Describe the path of a signal after initial stimulation.

Answer 2

information received via the dendrites which transmit to the cell body. The information is then transmitted via the axon to the presynaptic terminal (where it can then pass to another neurone)

Question 3

What are the 3 functional classes of neurones?

Answer 3

Afferent
interneurons
Efferent

Question 4

What type of information do afferent neurones carry?

Answer 4

Sensory

Question 5

What type of information do efferent neurones carry?

Answer 5

Motor

Question 6

What is referred to by the term nerve fibre?

Answer 6

A single axon

Question 7

What is referred to by the term nerve?

Answer 7

A bundle of axons bound together by connective fibres

Question 8

In what direction do afferent signals pass?

Answer 8

From the tissues and organs towards the CNS

Question 9

In what direction do efferent signals pass?

Answer 9

From the CNS to effector cells

Question 10

Where are the cell bodies of afferent neurons located?

Answer 10

Outside the CNS

Question 11

Where are the cell bodies of efferent neurones located?

Answer 11

Within the CNS

Question 12

Where are interneurons located

Answer 12

Entirely within the CNS

Question 13

What are the myelinating cells in the brain and spinal cord?

Answer 13

Oligodendrocytes

Question 14

What are the myelinating cells in the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 14

Schwann cells

Question 15

How many axons can an oligodendrocyte myelinate?

Answer 15

Lots (as many as 40)

Question 16

How many axons can a Schwann cells myelinate?

Answer 16

1

Question 17

What are the nodes of Ranvier?

Answer 17

Spaces between adjacent sections of myelin where the axons plasma membrane is exposed to extracellular fluid

Question 18

What does myelination increase?

Answer 18

The speed of conduction along axons

Question 19

Which are thicker myelinated or unmyelinated axons?

Answer 19

Myelinated

Question 20

Where are glial cells found?

Answer 20

Surrounding the cell body of neurones, axons and dendrites.

Question 21

What is the function of glial cells?

Answer 21

To provide physical and metabolic support

Question 22

What is the function astrocytes?

Answer 22

To help regulate the composition of the extracellular fluid in the CNS.

Stimulate the formation of tight junctions between the cells

Question 23

What forms the blood brain barrier? (3)

Answer 23

The foot processes of astrocytes that closely applied around capillaries

Endothelial cells

Pericytes

Question 24

Where are protoplasmic glial cells found?

Answer 24

In the grey matter

Question 25

Where are fibrous glial cells found?

Answer 25

In the white matter

Question 26

Where are radial glia found?

Answer 26

In the developing brain

Question 27

What is the role of radial glial cells?

Answer 27

To guide developing neurones

Question 28

Where are Bergmann glia found?

Answer 28

In the cerebellum

Question 29

What is the role of Bergmann glia?

Answer 29

To support purkinje cell dendrites and synapses

Question 30

What are microglia?

Answer 30

Specialised macrophage-like cells that perform immune function in the CNS

Question 31

What are ependymal cells?

Answer 31

Line fluid-filled varieties within the brain and spinal cord

Question 32

What is the role of ependymal cells?

Answer 32

Regulate the production and flow of CSF

Question 33

Name 5 key features of the blood brain barrier?

Answer 33

Endothelial tight junctions

Astrocyte end feet

Pericytes

Continuous basement membrane (no fenestrations)

Require specific transports

Question 34

What parts of the brain are not covered by the blood brain barrier?

Answer 34

The circumventricular organs (e.g. posterior pituitary)