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SMP - Neurophysio Exam 1 > Lecture 1 - Cells of the Nervous System > Flashcards

Lecture 1 - Cells of the Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

How many neurons in our brain? How does this compare to that of a worm?

A

100 billion vs 302

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2
Q

How many non-neural cells in our brain?

A

1000 billion

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3
Q

What is the cell theory?

A

All tissues are composed of microscopic units called cells

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4
Q

Describe multipolar neurons. Where are they found?

A

They have 2 or more primary neuritic processes on the cell body

CNS

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5
Q

Describe pyramidal neurons. 2 types? What are there functions?

A

Triangular in shape and very favored.
Functions:
1. Spiny ones encode long-term info
2. Aspinous ones function as interneurons and modulate local information

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6
Q

Where are purkinje cell neurons found?

A

Cerebellum

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7
Q

Describe bipolar neurons. Where are they found?

A

Neurons with 2 opposing primary neurites.

Found in retina and inner ear

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8
Q

What are bipolar neurons in the inner ear called?

A

Hair cells

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9
Q

Describe unipolar neurons. What is their function?

A

Cell body is segregated from the single primary neurite.

Function as sensory/afferent neurons

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10
Q

What stains are used to stain neurons?

A

Vital dyes:

  1. Golgi stain
  2. Nissi stain
  3. Weigart stain
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11
Q

What lies below the 6 layers of the cerebral cortex?

A

Subcortical structures (eg corpus callosum) next to white matter

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12
Q

What are the 3 basic elements of the neuron? Describe their location.

A
  1. Perikaryon
  2. Dendrites at the receiving end
  3. Axon at the transmitting end
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13
Q

What are the neurites?

A

Structures that branch off the cell body: dendrites and axon

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14
Q

What are 2 another names for perikaryon?

A

Cell body = soma

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15
Q

What is another name for neurites?

A

Processes

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16
Q

What are the different types of dendrites?

A
  1. Primary: directly coming off of the soma
  2. Secondary: branch off primary dendrites
  3. Tertiary: branch off secondary dendrites
    AND SO ON…
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17
Q

How do the dendrites’ diameter change as it gets further from the soma?

A

Decreases

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18
Q

How many axons do most neurons have?

A

1

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19
Q

Diameter of dendrite?

A

Thick/tapered

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20
Q

Length of dendrite: limited or not?

A

Limited

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21
Q

Branching of dendrites?

A

Many, acute

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22
Q

Spines on dendrites?

A

Yes

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23
Q

V-gated ion channels on dendrites?

A

Less

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24
Q

Diameter of axon?

A

1 micrometer, uniform

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25
Q

Length of axon: limited or not?

A

NOPE

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26
Q

Branching of axon?

A

Few, not acute

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27
Q

Spines on axons?

A

NOPE

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28
Q

V-gated ion channels on axons?

A

More

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29
Q

What are considered the antennae of neurons?

A

Dendrites

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30
Q

How does the diameter of axons and dendrites affect them?

A

Thicker neurite will allow an AP to propagate more quickly

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31
Q

What determines the length of the axon that goes from the bottom of one’s spinal cord to the end of a toe?

A

Length of the leg!

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32
Q

What is the function of dendritic spines?

A

To elaborate postsynaptic surfaces by increasing the surface area to volume ratio of neurons

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33
Q

What is the main component of dendritic spines?

A

Actin (microfilament)

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34
Q

Is the shape/diameter of dendritic spines critical? For what?

A

YUP

Critical for higher functioning

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35
Q

How do dendritic spines change with maturation?

A

They morph into the mature mushroom morphology

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36
Q

Where do we store a lot of info in our neurons?

A

Mature dendritic spines

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37
Q

3 neuron cytoskeletal elements?

A
  1. Microtubules
  2. Microfilaments
  3. Neurofilaments
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38
Q

What is another name for neurofilaments?

A

Intermediate filaments

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39
Q

Microtubules: size?

A

20 nm

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40
Q

Microfilaments: size?

A

5 nm

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41
Q

Neurofilaments: size?

A

10 nm

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42
Q

Microtubules: structure?

A

Globular tubulin protein which is hollow and longitudinal

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43
Q

Microfilaments: structure?

A

Actin protein

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44
Q

Neurofilaments: structure?

A

Long NF proteins

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45
Q

Microtubules: location?

A

Everywhere EXCEPT axon terminal or dendritic spine

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46
Q

Microfilaments: location?

A

Throughout

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47
Q

Neurofilaments: location?

A

Throughout

48
Q

Do neurons have a cytoskeleton?

49
Q

What is the role of Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)?

A

They govern changes in neuron shape and size overtime

50
Q

What are the 4 major MAPs?

A
  1. MAP-2
  2. Tau
  3. Kinesin
  4. Dynein
51
Q

MAP-2: 2 locations?

A
  1. Dendrites

2. Soma

52
Q

Tau: 1 location?

53
Q

Kinesin: 2 locations?

A
  1. Axon

2. Dendrites

54
Q

Dynein: 2 locations?

A
  1. Axon

2. Dendrites

55
Q

MAP-2: function?

A

Stabilizes the shape of the mature neuron

56
Q

Tau: function?

A

Stabilizes the shape of the mature neuron

57
Q

Which MAP is defective in neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinsons and Alzheimers?

58
Q

Dynein: function? What is this called?

A

Motor protein ATPase that transport proteins, nutrients, etc. intracellularly in vesicles from synaptic terminals to the cell body to be recycled = retrograde transport

59
Q

Kinesin: function? What is this called?

A

Motor protein ATPase that transport proteins, nutrients, etc in vesicles intracellularly from cell body to synaptic terminal = anterograde transport

60
Q

What is axoplasmic transport referred to as? Why?

A

Activity dependent transport because it uses ATP

61
Q

Describe the flow on conduction.

A

Usually unidirectional but bidirectionality can have some functions as well

62
Q

What do you call a neuron with dendritic spines?

A

Spinous = spiny

63
Q

What do you call a neuron without dendritic spines?

A

Aspinous = non-spiny

64
Q

What are the 4 components of the axon?

A
  1. Axon hillock
  2. Initial segment
  3. Axon proper
  4. Axon terminal
65
Q

Describe the structure and location of the axon hillock.

A

Conical shape transition from soma to axon

66
Q

Function of axon hillock?

A

Contains proteins that determine which information is propagated to post synaptic cells

67
Q

What is the initial segment of the axon closely associated with?

A

The axon hillock

68
Q

What is the function of the initial segment of the axon?

A

Site of signal integration and generation of AP through Na+ and K+ VG channels

69
Q

Describe the structure of the axon proper.

A

Uniform width

70
Q

Function of axon proper?

A

Signal propagation through Na+ and K+ VG channels

71
Q

What are axon collaterals? Function?

A

Axon branches off primary axon which influence neighboring neurons

72
Q

What does it mean when an axon collateral is able to inhibit a neighboring neuron?

A

It is firing faster and more easily than the neighboring neuron

73
Q

Describe the structure of the axon terminal.

A

Enlargement of the axon where microtubules terminate

74
Q

What is another name for the axon terminal?

A

Presynaptic bouton

75
Q

What does the synapse contain?

A

Axon terminal + synaptic cleft + postsynaptic dendrite

76
Q

How big is the synaptic cleft?

77
Q

What is the function of the axon terminal?

A

Convert the electrical signal into a chemical one by using calcium VG channels and many membrane proteins to release synaptic vesicles containing NTs into the cleft

78
Q

What does the absence of microtubules at the axon terminal mean?

A

Less plasticity

79
Q

What is the site of neurotransmission?

A

Axon terminal

80
Q

What % of our brain cells are neurons?

81
Q

What are nonelectrically stimulated brain cells called?

A

Glial cells

82
Q

What are the 6 types of glial cells? Are they in CNS or PNS?

A 
CNS: 
1. Astrocytes
2. Ependymal cells
3. Microglia
4. Oligodendrocytes
PNS: 
5. Satellite cells
6. Schwann cells
83
Q

Which glial cells are most prevalent in the CNS?

A

Astrocytes

84
Q

Where are astrocytes found?

A

Wrapped around capillaries on cortex or cerebellum, or ventral Tegmental Area or other brain structures

85
Q

Astrocytes: main/overall function?

A

Supporting structure connecting the circulatory and nervous systems so that nutrients can be propagated to neurons

86
Q

Ependymal cells: function?

A

Produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid which contains waste and essential molecules by rapidly beating their apical cilia in a circular motion through the brain ventricles/central canal of spinal cord

87
Q

Which glial cell most resembles a neuron morphologically? How do they differ?

A

Microglial cell

But they do not have VG channels so are electrically silent

88
Q

Describe the structure of ependymal cells.

A

Squamous with apical cilia

89
Q

What is the function of microglial cells?

A

Immune cells of CNS

90
Q

What is the RMP of microglial cells? How does this compare to other NS cells? What is it mainly due to?

A
  • 90 mV (more negative than normal)

Leakage K+ channels

91
Q

What are we discovering more and more about neurological disorders?

A

They have an immune component

92
Q

Oligodendrocytes: function?

A

Produce concentric layers of myelin sheath in CNS to insulate axons and reduce the current leakage to increase conduction velocity

93
Q

Schwann cells: function?

A

Produce concentric layers of myelin sheath in PNS to insulate axons and reduce the current leakage to increase conduction velocity

94
Q

Oligodendrocytes: location?

A

Wrapped multiple times around naked axons in CNS

95
Q

Schwann cells: location?

A

Wrapped multiple times around naked axons in PNS

96
Q

How many oligodendrocytes per neuron axon?

97
Q

How many neuron axons per oligodendrocytes?

98
Q

What are satellite cells compared to? What does this mean for their function?

A

Astrocytes + microglial cells of PNS = structural and immune functions of PNS

99
Q

Where are satellite cells found?

A

Form a ring around somas of neurons of the PNS

100
Q

What are 3 diseases that have issues with neuron myelination?

A
  1. ALS
  2. Guillain-Barre
  3. Multiple Sclerosis
101
Q

How many Schwann cells per neuron axon?

102
Q

How many neuron axons per Schwann cell?

103
Q

What are the Schwann cells separated by on an axon?

A

Nodes of Ranvier

104
Q

Are all neurons myelinated?

105
Q

Where are the mitochondria located in the neuron axon?

A

In the axoplasm of myelinated portions

106
Q

What protein do astrocytes express? What is it?

A

GFAP = Glia fibrillary acidic protein: intermediate filament found ONLY in astrocytes

107
Q

What is another name for astrocytes?

108
Q

What is special about astrocytes?

A

They are very dynamic and can change shape and size in response to many stimuli

109
Q

What are the 9 functions of astrocytes?

A
  1. Regulate the BBB by effecting endothelial cells and angiogenic factors that regulate the passage or not of molecules to the brain
  2. Brain glycogen reserves
  3. Regulate extracellular ions (K+, Na+, H+, water)
  4. Uptake and regulate NTs (eg: GABA, serotonin)
  5. Regulate glutamate by converting it to glutamine (glutamate sponges from synapse)
  6. Express neurotrophic factors to contribute to learning, memory, and development to promote neuronal survival and myelanation
  7. Synaptogenesis and neurogenesis by secreting and modifying the extracellular matrix
  8. Immune modulation (w/ microglia)
  9. Remove cellular debris from dead or dying neurons
110
Q

How do astrocytes contribute to the maturation of dendritic spines?

A

By secreting and modifying the extracellular matrix

111
Q

What does the BBB consist of?

A

Endothelial cells entirely wrapped around lumen forming tight junctions with themselves

112
Q

What are pericytes?

A

Cells that interact closely with endothelial cells of the BBB to regulate the opening/closing of the blood vessels aka the capillary lumen diameter

113
Q

What covers the lumen, endothelial cell, and pericytes of the BBB?

A

Basal lamina

114
Q

What are astrocytic foot processes?

A

Parts of astrocytes found around the capillaries of the BBB containing specialized membrane transporters to allow the passage of some LIPID SOLUBLE molecules to the brain tissue

115
Q

What is rapid anesthesia provided by? Why?

A

Gases because lipid-soluble (uncharged) so can pass the BBB

116
Q

Can local anesthetics pass the BBB? Why?

A

NOPE because not lipid soluble

117
Q

Where are Golgi apparati found in neurons?

A

Soma and axons

SMP - Neurophysio Exam 1 (13 decks)

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