Nerves Flashcards
What is the structure of an axon?
Initial segment- unmyelinated membrane closest to cell body. May contain undulations in membrane (axon hillcote).
Myelin sheath
Nodes of Ranvier
Internodal membrane - membrane under schwann cells inbetween the nodes of ranvier.
Axonal terminal - the end of the axon
How many action potentials are generated?
2 - one goes down axon and one goes back to cell body to say a signal has been sent
What is the structure of the peripheral nerves?
An entire nerve is ensheathed by epinureum and contains fascicles and blood vessels. A nerve fascicle is ensheathed by perineureum and contains axons. Interfascicular bands attach adjacent fascicles. A single cell axon is surrounded by endoneureum.
What are nerve fascicles?
Collection of neurones with a common origin and destination.
what do all neurones have?
1 axon and 1 cell body
What does a cell body contain?
Nucleus containing a nucleolus and encased by a perinuclear membrane.
Nissl - substance for protein synthesis
Golgi - for packaging the neurotransmitters into vesicles
What do dendrites do?
Increase SA for interactions with other cells
What are neurones with multiple dendrites, one dendrite and no dendrites called?
Multi-polar, bi-polar (have an axon too), unipolar (still have an axon)
What is grey and white matter?
grey- collection of cell bodies
white- collection of axons
what is a ganglion?
collection of cell bodies (a swelling)
What are the membranes in the CNS?
continuous with coverings of brain and spinal cord. out to in: dura mater arachnoid mater pia mater
where are sensory neurones found?
in the PNS
when is an axon said to be myelinated?
when schwann cells have wrapped themselves around in several concentric layers of plasmalemma.
what do peripheral nerve fibres consist of?
axons surrounded by a sleeve of schwann cells - neurolemma
what are the gaps in the myelin sheath and what are their function?
Nodes of Ranvier, allow for saltatory conduction as have ion channels for depolarisation
why is the myelin a good electrical insulator?
The schwann cells wrap around the axon around 100 times to ensure it doesnt come off which forms the myelin sheath. The cytoplasm of the schwann cells is extruded as the schwann cells wrap around the axon which leaves predominantly membrane around the axon that can fuse. As membranes are made up of phospholipid bilayer this leaves a predominately lipid layer around the axon which is very good at conductive insulation.
what myelinates the axons in the CNS?
glial cells called oligodendrocytes produce and maintain the coating
Do the autonomic and somatic nervous systems contain myelinated or non myelinated neurones?
A- myelinated in CNS and unmyelinated in PNS
S- all myelinated
What does a myelin sheath allow for and why is it good?
saltatory conduction and is quicker as the whole membrane doesnt have to be depolarised.
where do synaptic connections occur?
between axon terminals and cell body/dendrite or another axon
What do excitatory neurones release?
glutamate/aspartate neurotransmitter
what do inhibitory neurones release?
glycine/GABA neurotransmitter
What are the CNS and PNS in relation to each other?
A continuum of the same cell, not independent from one another
what are the brain and spinal cord encased by?
cranium and vertebral column