Histology Flashcards
What makes white matter white?
Fatty myelin surrounding axons
What type of stain can you use to visualise the processes of neurons?
Silver stain
What type of cells produce CSF?
Choroid plexus cells
What type of cells are choroid plexus cells?
Specialised epithelial cells
Where are Ependymal cells located?
They line the central canal of the spinal cord
Lining the ventricles
What type of cell are ependymal?
Low columnar or cuboidal
True/False, neurons produce a lot of energy
False, they rely on surrounding cells to produce it for them
Which is the cytoskeletal components of neurons are dynamic?
Actin
and microtubules
What does actin in neurons allow for?
Spines on processes to extend out
Which cytoskeletal component allows for movement of proteins and other substances within the axon?
Microtubules
What is soma another name for?
Neuron cell body
Is the level of protein production in neurons high or low?
High
What are Nissl bodies?
The units of protein production in the neuron
They consist of rough ER and free ribosomes
What are astrocytes?
Support cells
What are glial cells?
Support cells for neurons
What are the three types of glial cells?
Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
Schwann cells
I am a cell whose function is to
- Neurotransmitter uptake and degradation
- K+ homeostasis
- Neuronal energy supply
- Maintainence of BBB
- Injury response and recovery
Who am I?
Astrocyte!
Why do glia cells produce glutamate transporters?
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter
Glial cells take up glutamate through those transporters to remove it from the synaptic clefts
How do glial cells communicate with each other?
Calcium waves
What initiates Ca waves in glial cells?
Neurotransmitters
Trauma
Inflammatory mediators
T/F Neurons are the only cells to release neurotransmitters in the CNS
No, glial cells do it too
How do glial cells regulate neurone function?
Release ATP in response to Ca waves to hyperpolarise the neurons.
How can astrocytes regulate vascular tone?
Calcium waves cause contraction of astrocyte processes around blood vessels
What is the primary function of oligodendrocytes?
Myelination in the CNS
What cell can wrap around more than one axon, oligodendrocytes or schwann cells?
Oligodendrocytes
What is the general function of microglial cells?
Immune defense
What do microglia do to regulate normal function?
Send out processes that sample synapses
