Introduction Powerpoint (First Day) Flashcards
What did Camillo Golgi do?
-developed a staining technique
-used silver nitrate to stain, since it has a higher affinity to neurons
-detailed visualization of neuron structure
-Golgi’s conclusion: the nervous system is continuously interconnected
*won 1960 nobel prize
What did Santiago Ramon y Cajal do?
-used golgi staining technique
-discovered that the brain is made of individual, discrete cells (neurons)
What are neurons in charge of doing?
process and transmit information quickly
-in charge of creating action potentials (electrical impulses) which are needed for quick and effective communication to regulate coordination, sensation, thought, and movements.
What are glial cells in charge of?
-support and maintain neuronal function
-in charge of membrane potentials
-structural support
-insulating axons: myelination
-regulating the extracellular environment
-modulating synaptic activity
How are neurons (pyramidal cells) stained?
-immunostaining using an antibody marker called Anti-NeuN
-NeuN is a protein that targets the nuclei of neurons and is used as a neuronal marker
-Anti-MAP2 is associated with the dendrites of neurons and is used to label neuronal structures
What is a myelin sheath?
-Insulating layer around many axons
-speeds up signaling transmission
What is the Node of Ranvier?
-gaps in the myelin sheath where action potentials are regenerated
What are axon terminals?
-endings of the axon where signals are transmitted to other cells
What is a synapse?
-junction between neurons where signal transmission occurs
What is a neurotransmitter?
-chemicals released by axon terminals to transmit signals across the synapse
What is the importance of the neuron structure?
-each part of the neuron plays a specific role in the transmission and processing of neural info
-What are the basic structures of the neuron?
-Dendrite: receive signals from other neurons
-Soma (cell body): processes incoming signals – organelles
-Axon: transmits signals to other neurons
-How is surface area increased in the neuron?
-The cell’s surface area is increased by extensions into dendrites and an axon, further increased by dendritic spines that facilitate connections with other neurons.
-What are the various types of neurons?
Motor Neuron from Spinal Cord
Function: Transmits signals from the spinal cord to muscles, enabling movement.
Structure: Has a large cell body with multiple dendrites and a long myelinated axon.
Mitral Cell from Olfactory Bulb
Function: Relays sensory information from the olfactory receptors to the brain.
Structure: Features a prominent cell body with branching dendrites and a single axon.
Pyramidal Cell from Cortex
Function: Involved in cognitive processes and motor control within the cerebral cortex.
Structure: Characterized by a triangular cell body, a large apical dendrite, multiple basal dendrites, and a long axon.
Purkinje Cell
Function: Plays a crucial role in motor coordination within the cerebellum.
Structure: Has an extensive dendritic tree and a single, long axon.
Ganglion Cell
Function: Transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.
Structure: Contains a cell body with a dense dendritic network and a single axon.
What is electrophysiology?
-the study of the electrical properties of neurons
What is extracellular recording? (Electrophysiology technique)
– Records electrical activity from outside the cells
- less-invasive (not penetrate the cell membrane)
-preserving the natural physiological conditions
- stable long-term recordings
- The overall activity of multiple neurons
- Inserting an electrode inside the cell
- Measure voltage changes across the cell membrane
- Detailed information
What is the Patch-clamp technique? (Electrophysiology technique)
-Whole-Cell patch recording
-a glass micropipette (a capillary)
The tip diameter - less than 1 micrometer
-Gigaseal:
The pipette tip is pressed gently against the cell membrane
suction is applied to form a high-resistance seal btn the pipette and the membrane
What are the different modes of the patch clamp technique?
-Cell-Attached Mode: The pipette remains attached to the cell membrane without breaking it, allowing for the recording of currents from individual ion channels within the patch of membrane.
-Whole-Cell Mode: After forming the gigaseal, additional suction ruptures the patch of membrane, allowing the pipette to access the cell’s interior. This configuration measures the total ionic currents across the entire cell membrane.
-Inside-Out Mode: The pipette pulls away a patch of membrane, exposing the intracellular side to the external environment, useful for studying the intracellular aspects of ion channel function.
-Outside-Out Mode: The patch of membrane is pulled away and reseals in such a way that the extracellular side of the membrane faces the bath solution, useful for studying the extracellular aspects of ion channel function.
What is the definition of intracellular recording?
-Measure electrical changes in the neuron cells
What are the different types of potentials?
-Flat negative pattern: resting potential
-Small fluctuations: graded potential
-Rapid change to positive voltage
What is the communications of neurons
-Chemical signaling: between neurons (synapse)
-Electrical signal: through the neuron
What are the chemically mediated synaptic transmissions? -get more details
-(EPSP) Excitation postsynaptic potential
-(IPSP) Inhibition postsynaptic potential
