Lectures Flashcards
What features do synaptic number and strength underlie?
Processing sensory information
Motor circuits
Memory formation
Synaptic plasticity
According to what features can neurones be grouped?
Shape Electrical activity Gene expression profile Neurotransmitter Connectivity
Cells that wrap myelin sheath around neuron
Oligodendrocytes
Cells that act like the immune cells of the brain
Microglia
Maintain neural energy balance, buffer and provide nutrition
Astrocytes
Line ventricles of the brain and secrete CSF
Epindymal cells
Glue. Provide tropic support, modulate electrical output of neurones and protect them from external factors
Glia
What are the components of a tripartite synapse?
Presynaptic terminal, post synaptic spine and astrocyte process (glia)
What is the role of astrocytes in the tripartite synapse?
Neurotransmitter recycling, release of gliotransmitters eg d serine or ATP and to ensheath
Which cells carry out synaptic pruning and how?
Microglia
They remodel dendritic spines, changing the cell input
What process to robo and slit control?
Midline crossing
What ligand binds robo?
Slit ligand (chemorepellant)
What direction do axons expressing high robo grow and why?
Grow longitudinally as there repelled by slit
Which direction do axons expressing low robo grow and why?
They cross the midline as they are attracted to it
What happens after axons cross the midline?
Robo is upregulated and they continue to grow longitudinally on the contralateral side
What morphagen allows development of the dorso ventral axis?
Sonic hedgehog
What structure secretes sonic hedgehog?
The notochord
What does a reduced production of Shh by the notochord lead to?
More dorsal interneurons form further from the notochord
What determines the formation of the anterio posterior axis?
Hox gene expression
What is the brainstem said to be divided into (physical segmentation)?
Rhombomeres
What controls peripheral axon projection?
Neurophilin receptors and semaphorin ligands
What is repelled by semaphorin ligands?
Dorsal root ganglia
What binds NRP1?
SEMA 3A
What binds NRP2?
SEMA 3F
What ligand binds EPh receptors?
Ephrin
What two things are expressed in complementary gradients in the retina and tectum, showing complimentary gradients of guidance cues?
EPh receptors and ephrin ligands
Where are axons from the temporal retina directed?
Anterior tectum
Where are axons from the nasal retina directed?
Posterior tectum
What is the complementary gradients of guidance cues between the retina and tectum an example of?
Topographic mapping within the nervous system
What are the advantages of phase contrast microscopy?
Only requires low illumination
No labelling required
Cheap
What are the disadvantages of phase contrast microscopy?
Can’t automate image analysis
Can only distinguish between structures with high contrast