Final Exam Flashcards
How do neurons communicate?
> Electrical signals
> Chemical signals
How many neurons are there typically in the brain?
100 billion
How many connections does a neuron have to other neurons (neural pathways)?
Each neuron has between 1000 to 10000 connections to other neurons
What is a neuron composed of?
It is composed of:
- Soma (cell body)
- Dendrites
- Axon
What is the Soma composed of?
The Cystol:
Watery fluid inside the cell
Organelles:
Membrane-enclosed structures with in the soma
Cytoplasm:
Contents with in a cell membrane
(e.g., organelles, excluding the nucleus)
What organelles are found in the soma?
> The nucleus > RER > Smooth ER > Golgi apparatus > Mitochondria
What is the nucleus responsible for?
Responsible for:
> Gene Expression
Transcription
RNA processing
What is the rough endoplasmic reticulum responsible for?
> Involved in some protein
- Production
- Folding
- Quality Control
- Dispatch
What is the smooth endoplasmic reticulum responsible for?
The smooth ER is involved in the production / metabolism of fats and steroids
What is the golgi apparatus involved in?
Involved in the delivery of proteins to different cell regions (Trafficking) and regulating substances
What is the difference between Smooth and Rough ER
Smooth ER is not studded with ribosomes
Rough ER is studded with ribosomes
What is the mitochondria responsible for?
The mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration
(inhale and exhale)
Part of the Krebs cycles
ATP- Cell’s energy source
What is the role of the Neuronal Membrane?
What is the thickness of the membrane ?
A barrier that encloses cytoplasm
> 5nm thick
What is the Cytoskeleton?
> It is the internal scaffolding of neuronal membrane
- it is not static
What are the three bones of the Cytoskeleton?
> Microtubules
MIcrofilaments
Neurofilaments
What are axons?
Axons are processes, responsible for relaying / sending information from one neuron to the next
What are the three stages of an axon?
> Axon hillock (beginining)
Axon proper (middle)
Axon terminal (end)
What is different between the axon and the soma?
There are differences in the organelle composition
> No ER / Golgi apparatus in axons
> Polyribosome composition is unique
What are the differences between the cytoplasm of axon terminal and axon?
> Presence of synaptic vesicles
> Abundance of membrane proteins
> Large number of mitochondria
What is the synapse?
The point of communication between neurons
What is the axon referred to as?
The axon is referred to as the Presynaptic location of the neuron
How does communication occur in the synapse?
Communication will occur by synaptic transmission
Electrical to Chemical transformation
What is the outcome of synaptic transmission dysfunction?
Mental disorders will occur
What are dendrites responsible for?
Act as the “antennae” of neurons
Dendrites are responsible for
- Receiving + Processing information sent from the Axon/s of other neurons
