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Neurobiology > Introduction > Flashcards

Introduction Flashcards

1
Q

Cell Theory

A

Idea that the entire body is made of cells except for the brain.
Theorized by Theodore Schwann in 1839.

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2
Q

Golgi Stain

A

Silver nitrate solution that sparsely labeled neurons.
Discovered by Camillo Golgi

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3
Q

Reticular Theory

A

Idea that the brain is a network of nerve fibers rather than distinct cells
Theorized by Camillo Golgi

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4
Q

Neuron Doctrine

A

Idea that the brain is discrete neurons that form dynamically polarized signaling units
Information flows in one direction
Theorized by Ramon Cajal and discovered using Golgi stain

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5
Q

Dendrites

A

Tapered extensions of the cell body
Collect information from other neurons

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6
Q

Soma

A

Aka cell body
Composed of one axon and many dendrites
Responsible for synthesis and signal integration

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7
Q

Axon

A

Aka boutons
Cylindrical in shape and sometimes myelinated
Sending/conducting information

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8
Q

Axon terminal

A

Vesicle-filled space
Transmitting information to other neurons

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9
Q

Neuron types are defined by…

A
  1. morphology
  2. physiology
  3. gene expression
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10
Q

Unipolar neuron

A

Composed of cell body and axon
Exist in early development; rare in adults

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11
Q

Pseudounipolar neuron

A

Composed of dendrite, cell body, and axon (cell body branches off)
Present in sensory neurons at the spinal cord
AP isn’t propagated at the cell body

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12
Q

Bipolar neuron

A

Composed of dendrite, cell body, and axon (cell body is in line with dendrite and axon)
Found in the retina and nose

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13
Q

Multipolar

A

Composed of multiple dendrites branching off of cell body and one axon
Most common type of neuron
Ex. motor neuron, cortical pyramidal cells, interneurons

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14
Q

Synapses can be…

A
  1. axodendritic
  2. axosomatic
  3. axoaxonic
  4. dendrodendritic
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15
Q

Glutamate

A

Abbrev = Glu
Neurotransmitter
Responsible for CNS excitation

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16
Q

GABA

A

Neurotransmitter
Responsible for CNS inhibition

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17
Q

Key Neurotransmitters

A

Glutamate - CNS excitation
Aspartate - brain, spinal chord excitation
GABA - CNS inhibition
Glycine - rapid spinal chord inhibition
Acetylcholine - muscle and autonomic activation, attention (present at NMJ)

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18
Q

Key Neuromodulators

A

Dopamine - reward and movement
Norepinephrine - arousal and smooth muscle activation
Serotonin - relaxation, mood, and sensory processing
Substance P - pain signaling
Neuropeptide Y - appetite control
Opioids - pain modulation
Adenosine triphosphate - misc.

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19
Q

Neuromodulator

A

A transmitter that works by slow signaling to alter neuron excitability (often through GPCR pathways)

20
Q

Ionotropic receptors

A

Works via ion flow
Timescale of ms (fast)
Ex. Glu, GABA
Used mainly by NTs

21
Q

Metabotropic receptors

A

Works via signaling pathways
Timescale of 100ms to s (slow)
Ex. DA, 5-HT
Used by NMs and NTs

22
Q

Glial cells

A

Majority of cells in brain
Generally no axons, dendrites, or APs
Capable of cell division
Important to brain function and homeostasis

23
Q

Astrocytes

A

Buffering the extracellular environment
Metabolic regulation
Blood flow regulation

24
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

Make myelin
Have synaptic potential

25
Q

Schwann cells

A

Only present in PNS
Make myelin
Uptake NTs at neuromuscular junction

26
Q

Microglia

A

Immune cells of brain
Mobile upon tissue damage

27
Q

Ependymal

A

Line the brain ventricles and central canal of the spinal cord that contain cerebral spinal fluid

28
Q

Types of neuroglia

A
  1. ependymal
  2. microglia
  3. schwann cells
  4. oligodendrocytes
  5. astrocytes
  6. satellite cells
29
Q

Rostral

A

Closer to frontal lobe

30
Q

Caudal

A

Closer to bottom of spinal cord

31
Q

Dorsal

A

Brain = top
Spinal cord = back

32
Q

Ventral

A

Brain = bottom
Spinal cord = front

33
Q

Coronal plane

A

Bisected into front and back

34
Q

Sagittal plane

A

Bisected into right and left

35
Q

Horizontal plane

A

Bisected into top and bottom

36
Q

Central nervous system includes…

A

The brain and the spinal chord

37
Q

Gray matter

A

Composed of neurons, dendrites, and synapses
Present on the exterior of the brain and interior of the spinal cord

38
Q

White matter

A

Composed of axons and fibrous astrocytes
Present on the interior of the brain and exterior of the spinal cord

39
Q

Sulcus

A

Groove in the brain

40
Q

Gyrus

A

Peak in brain

41
Q

Corpus callosum

A

Tissue connecting the right and left hemisphere

42
Q

Central sulcus

A

Between the frontal and parietal lobe

43
Q

Lateral sulcus

A

Between the frontal and temporal lobe, and the temporal and parietal lobe

44
Q

Parietoccipital sulcus

A

Between the occipital, temporal, and parietal lobes

45
Q

Cingulate sulcus

A

Between the parietal and limbic lobe

Neurobiology (5 decks)

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