Module 5: Neuronal Communication Flashcards
What stage of the cell cycle are neurones in?
G0.
What are the key features of a Neurone?
Cell Body - Location of DNA and most organelles
Dendrons - Input synapses send impulses into cell body
Axons - send impulses away from cell body.
Myelinated axons allow for what kind of conduction?
Saltatory conduction.
What is the structure of a typical motor neurone?:
Dendrites lead into a cell body, containing a nucleus, high mitochondria levels and endoplamsic reticulum. An axon myelinated with Schwann cells leads to a synaptic knob, containing more organelles.
Why do neurones need high mitochondria levels?
To carry out respiration to provide energy for endocytosis and active transports across the membrane.
Why do neurones have high amounts of endoplasmic reticulum and a golgi complex?
To synthesise neurotransmitters for exocytosis.
Nodes of Ranvier:
2-3μm size at 1-3mm intervals. They are interruptions of the myelin sheathe - location of ion channels.
Myelin Sheathe:
Many Layers of Schwann cell membranes, rich in lipoproteins and myelin. Electrically insulate axons. Schwann cells separated by nodes of Ranvier.
A nerve is a bundle of ______
A nerve is a bundle of neurones.
Characteristics of a reflex:
Unconscious, Very fast, protect organism from harm.
Perceived Intensity of stimulus is determined by:
Frequency of action potentials.
Where are Pacinian Corpuscles found?
Dermis of the skin
What do Pacinian Corpuscles detect?
Pressure (It is a mechanoreceptor)
What do Pacinian Corpuscles detect?
Pressure (It is a mechanoreceptor)
What are the 4 types of receptors in terms of type of stimuli?
Thermoreceptors, Chemoreceptors, Mechanoreceptors, Photoreceptors.
What is the type of channel on the neurone ending of at the corpuscle?
Stretch Mediated Na+ channels.
What does the intensity of a stimulus effect:
It effects the magnitude of the of generator potential.
What are the 3 types of receptors in terms of their environments?
Exteroceptors: stimuli from external environment
Enteroceptors: stimuli from internal environment
Proprioceptors: respond to tension within tendons and muscles.
What are the 2 types of receptors (types of sense)
Rapidly Adapting: Short signal - pain
Slowly Adapting: Constant Sense
How do Pacinian Corpuscles transduce pressure?
The pressure of the stimuli opens stretch mediated Na+ channels, causes diffusion of Na+ ions down the electrochemical gradient from the surrounding tissue into the cell. This depolarises the neurone membrane, generating and generator potential, if this potential exceeds threshold an action potential is produced and the impulse travels through a dendron.
Structure of Pacinian corpuscle:
Single myelinated sensory nerve fibre, enclosed in a multi-layered connective tissue capsule
What is the purpose of the fluid within the connective tissue capsule surrounding the Pacinian Corpuscle?
Greater sensitivity to changes in pressure.
Resting Potential Value?
-70mv
Action Potential Value:
+40mv
Gated Channels:
diffusion of substance is dependent of particular membrane-affecting agent to either open/close the channel. Often ion specific.
Voltage Gated Channels
Voltage changes to the potential difference across the membrane alter channels tertiary structure and 3D shape. They’re located on the axon of neurones and are utilised for the generation and propagation of action potentials.
Mechanically Gated Channels:
Located on the dendrites of sensory neurones and sensory receptor cells. Opening/closing dependent on the distension of the cell membrane from vibrations or changes in pressure.
Axoplasm:
Cytoplasm of axon.
Ligand Gated Channels:
Found at cell bodies or dendrites - hormones and neurotransmitters modify the tertiary structure and shape of channels for normal cell maintenance.
What is a nerve impulse?
An action potential moving across an axon as a unidirectional-wave of depolarisation.
At rest the outside of the membrane is more _______ charged than the the inside. Therefore the membrane is ____.
At rest the outside of the membrane is more positively charged than the the inside. Therefore the membrane is polarised.
Between impulses the resting potential is _______ restored and maintained by the axon.
Between impulses the resting potential is actively restored and maintained by the axon.
Describe and Explain how a resting potential is established and how it is maintained in a sensory neurone.
3Na+ and 2K+ are actively transported across the membrane by a sodium-potassium pump. the 3Na+ ions are transported into the surrounding tissue fluid. The 2K+ ions are transported into the sensory neurone. The cell has a high K+ permeability, because of the high number of K+ channels, causing K+ ions to leave the cell. The Cell is much less permeable to Na+ ions and-so there is little to no diffusion into the cell. The voltage ion channels remain closed.
What causes the refractory period (neurones)?
Hyperpolarisation of the membrane, periodically inactivating Na+ channels.
Neurone Depolarisation:
Depolarisation of previous section of axon/dendron causes voltage gated Na+ channels to open, increasing the membranes permeability to Na+. Na+ diffuses into the cytoplasm, making the cell less negative. This change is p.d causes further Na+ channels to open in a positive feedback system. Once at +40mv the voltage gated Na+ channels close and K+ opens. Repolarisation occurs as K+ diffuses out of the cell. this continues until hyperpolarisation causes the voltage-gated K+ channels to close. Resting potential then re-established by the pump and facilitated diffusion.
What is the importance of the refractory period (neurones)?
- Causes action potentials to be discrete/ non-overlapping
- Prevents impulses from travelling backwards.
3 types of neurone:
Sensory
Relay
Motor
Relay Neurones:
Transmit impulses between neurones.
Sensory Neurone:
Transmits an impulse from a sensory receptor to a relay neurone, motor neurone, or the brain.
Motor Neurone:
Transmits an impulse from a relay or sensory neurone to an effector.
Purpose of Reflexes:
Reduce severity of injury
Allows brain to be occupied with complex issues
Extremely fast
Aid posture and digestion.
How does Saltatory conduction work?
Sodium ion channels are only located at the Nodes of Ranvier. This creates longer localised circuits, reducing the number of ion channels that are needed to open and close.
Advantages of saltatory conduction:
Faster and more energy efficient (By reducing the amount of repolarisation required.)