Exam 1 Flashcards
What is the hypothesized reason for a brain?
Motility. The brain uses a ton of energy to be able to perceive and facilitate movement.
Cellular Anatomy vs Gross Anatomy
Cellular focuses on micro. Gross focuses on macro.
Glia
Support neurons by holding Nervous System together in the form of nutrients and protection. Require a lot of energy (10:1 neurons to glia)
Nucleus
Houses DNA
Central Dogma of Biology
DNA is transcribed to RNA, RNA is translated to Proteins in the ribosomes
DNA
What genes are made of. All nuclei in your body contain same DNA, just differ in gene expression
Dendrites
Receive information. Has spines to increase surface area
Soma
Integrates information from dendrites and houses nucleus
Axon Hillock (Initial Segment)
The funnel between the soma and the axon which generates the action potential
Axon
The nerve fiber that sends signals unidirectionally and away from the soma.
Axon Terminals
Contacts dendrites and somas of other neurons which converts electrical to chemical information
What do axon terminals contact?
Other neurons in the brain, other cell types outside the brain
Synapse
Connection between axon terminal and next neuron (gap where chemical signaling occurs)
Presynaptic Membrane
From axon terminal, it releases chemical signals called neurotransmitters
Postsynaptic Membrane
On target cell, it detects and receives messages in form of neurotransmitters
Synaptic Cleft
The physical distance between axon terminal and receptors that chemicals need to travel
How do neurotransmitters travel via
Vesicles
Santiago Ramon y Cajal
Supported that cell theory extended to neurons and believed in synapses through the Neuron Doctrine
Camile Golgi
Thought that neurons were a network (Reticulum Theory). But made staining possible to view neurons
Oligodendrocytes
In CNS, they create fatty sheath called myelin which surround axons
Schwann Cells
In PNS, they create myelin
What is the point of myelin?
They insulate axon and causes conduction for an action potential to occur quicker and more efficiently
Astrocytes
Star shaped cells that contact neurons. Their arms connect to capillaries and act as the blood-brain barrier. Convey vital nutrients from blood to neurons
Microglia
In CNS, there is no immune system. They scavenge for pathogens and debris and have a resting and reactive state.
Resting State of Microglia
They remain still while branches move and survey
Reactive State of Microglia
When threatened, they change shape to engulf debris
4 types of Glia
Oligodendrocytes, Schwann Cells, Astrocytes, Microglia
