Lecture 1 (Pierchala): Intro to Neuro

Question 1

Why do dentists need to study neuroscience?

Answer 1

1. Understand pain
2. understand anesthesia
3. recognize, treat, refer patients w/ oral facial conditions
4. how to manage patients with neurological disorders

Question 2

Two theories that tried to show what the nervous system was made of

Answer 2

Reticular theory (Golgi) states that nervous system is continuous cell network.

Neuron doctrine (ramón y Cajal) states that it is made up of discrete cells called neurons that are polarized and have complex structures.

Question 3

What technique revealed the remarkable complexity of neurons?

Answer 3

Golgi staining technique

Question 4

What are some characteristics of DENDRITES?

Answer 4

have microtubule core and spines have actin core. they receive electrical signals at synapses.

Question 5

what are some characteristics of AXONS?

Answer 5

they send electrical signals called ACTION POTENTIALS. they are made up of neurofilaments and microtubules. they are myelinated by Schwann cells or oligodendrocytes.

Question 6

what are some major characteristics of synapses?

Answer 6

synaptic clefts, vesicles, and active zone

these are highly plastic connections between neurons where computations take place, and are often major drug targets.

Question 7

describe a UNIPOLAR neuron

Answer 7

one main axon/dendrite

Question 8

describe a pseudo-UNIPOLAR neuron

Answer 8

It has only one central axon that goes to two places and is off to the side of the cell body

ex: DRG cell

Question 9

describe a BIPOLAR neuron

Answer 9

One axon from soma and one dendritic projection from soma

EX: retinal bipolar cell

Question 10

describe a MULTIPOLAR neuron

Answer 10

one axon and multiple dendrites

ex: purkinje cell of cerebellum, spinal motor neuron, or hippocampal pyramidal cell

Question 11

What are some examples of glia and what do they do?

Answer 11

oligodendrocytes MYELINATE CNS
Schwann cells MYELINATE PNS
Astrocytes: maintain chem environment and some have stem cell characteristics

Question 12

What do MICROGLIAL cells do?

Answer 12

migrate to site of infection and injury
act like microphages to clear cellular debris
secrete cytokines and other signaling molecules that promote inflammation

Question 13

What comprises the CNS?

Answer 13

brain and spinal cord protected by the BBB

Question 14

What comprises the PNS?

Answer 14

Sensory neurons
somatic motor neurons
autonomic nervous system

Question 15

What comprises a simple knee jerk reflex?

Answer 15

Sensory neuron that synapses at spinal gray matter and sends out a excitatory and inhibitory neuron