Lecture 2: Communication & Endocrine System Flashcards
neurons
eukaryote cells (contrain a clearly defined nucleus) that communicate with each other using electrochemical signals
cell membrane
consists of 2 lipids (fat molecules) and phosphor heads
- separates the internal components of the cell from the immediate external environment of the cell
phospholipid layers
contain protein channels (e.g. ion channels, recognition molecules, or receptors) that allow certain molecules to pass from inside the cell (intracellular) to the outside of the cell (extracellular), or vice versa
ligand
binds to a receptor allowing an action to be formed, like an ion gate
neuron structure
consists of 3 components: the soma (cell body), axon, and dendrites
soma
contains the nucleus and mitochondria
atom
contains a nucleus that contains neutrons, protons, and electrons
- neutrons: neutral (either negative or positive)
- protrons: positively charged particles
- electrons: negatively charged particles
ion
when an atom is negatively or positively charged
ionotropic receptors
proteins in the cell membrane
- influences the flow of ions, to allow for depolarization and repolarization
depolarization
ionotropic receptors allow more positive ions into the cell, making the cell charge more positive
repolarization
the process of which a neuron restores its negative internal charge after being depolarized
metabotropic receptors
have a binding site for neurotransmitters, but no pore of their own through which ions can flow
- activate G proteins
G proteins
direct the signal to an enzyme that adjusts the activity of an ion channel
- bind to guanosine diphosphate (GDP) and guanosine triphosphate (GTP)
3 ways cells can be connected
- desmosome
- tight junction
- gap junction
desmosome
a structure in the cell membrane that allows cells to attach to each other, such as skin tissue
tight junction
in this case, the cells are seated against each other. at this junction, no passive substance can cross the membrane, like in the intestines
gap junction
small channels that run between cells to promote transport, as in the heart
endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
a network of membranes located in the cytoplasm
- consists of 2 membranes close to each other, between which cavities and channels are formed
- main function: to collect proteins to be sent to the golgi apparatus
rough ER
ribosomes attach to the rough ER
smooth ER
no ribosomes are attached but calcium is stored
golgi apparatus
the function of the golgi apparatus is to convert and store proteins, which are then transported to other destinations
mitochondria
produce energy that the cell needs, which they develop by generating large amounts of energy within the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
energy-displacing molecules that store chemical energy (obtained from breaking down food molecules), which can then be used for such things as moving molecules
lysosomes
structures in the cytoplasm containing enzymes that can break down waste molecules in the cell
cytoskeleton
consists of microfilaments that provide movement, intermediate filaments, which provide the strength of a cell, and microtubules, through which substances are transported
radial glial cells
precursor cells that show the way to migrating nerve cells during central nervous system development and indicate the direction in which axons should grow
astrocyte
a star-shaped, branched glial cell in the CNS with long or short spurs
- support cells in the nerve pathway that lie between a blood vessel and a neuron
- remove some neurotransmitters, regulate ion concentration, and play a role in the development of the CNS by forming conductive branches through which neurons can grow
- can maintain neuronal homeostasis
- part of the blood-brain barrier
- involved in repair of the nervous system
microglia
small glial cells that occur in the mesoderm and are very important during injury
- active in monitoring their immediate environment for injury
- release inflammatory agents and help clear away dead material
ependymal cells
produce and secrete CSF
- form the epithelial layer of the fluid-filled cerebral ventricles
- have hair-like structures called cilia
- influence the direction of CSF flow
oligodendrocytes
cells positioned in the CNS and provide myelination to axons
- can lie around several axons
schwann cells
located in the peripheral nervous system and also myelinate sensory and motor neurons
- only lie around one axon
- repair myelin when damaged
myelin sheath
reduces the loss of electrical current to the extracellular fluid
white matter
refers to areas with many myelinated neurons
gray matter
consists of cell bodies and dendrites where there is no myelin
nodes of ranvier
allow neural flow to move along the axon much faster
multiple sclerosis
an autoimmune inflammatory neurological disease
- symptoms: “FATIGUE”
- Fatigue
- Altered vision
- Tinglish/numbness
- Incoordination
- Gait problems
- Urinary issues
- Extreme temperature sensitivity
multipolar neurons
contain many dendrites
bipolar neurons
have a single dendrite and a single axon
unipolar neurons
have a single axon and a dendrite that grows into an axon-like structure
afferent
when neural information runs into the central nervous system
efferent
when neural information leaves the CNS