Nervous Tissue Flashcards
T/F neuron has 1 cell body with 1 dendrite and multiple axons
F, 1 axon with multiple dendrites
Neuron cell body
. Call soma or perikaryon
. Metabolic center of neuron w/ tons mitochondria
. Nucleus w/ euchromatin and prominent nucleolus (active DNA and rRNA synthesis)
. Nissl substance
Nissl bodies
Extensive stacked layers of ER that look like basophilic patches
Pathological Chromatolysis
Absence of basophilic staining in the soma in response to injury (nissl bodies disappear)
Neurofibril function
. Structural support/cytoskeleton elements
. Have microtubules that transport neurotransmitter-filled vesicles that course from neuronal cell body to axonal terminal endings
Neurofibril EM appearance
Groups of intermediate filaments and microtubules
Neurofibril cytoskeletal elements
. Actin filaments (3-4 nm)
. Neurofilaments (10nm)
. Microtubules (24-28 nm) that extend to axon and continue down entire thing
Axon hillock
. Cone-shaped region where axon arises
. No nissl substance
Initial segment.
. Part of axon adjacent to hillock
. Anatomical location for initiating action potentials
Neuron classifications and where they can be found
. Unipolar (rods/cones)
. Bipolar cell (olfactory receptors)
. Psuedounipolar cell (peripheral ganglia)
. Multipolar cell (majority)
Distinguishing feature between axon and dendrites
dendrites have ribosomes and axons do not
Axoplasm
. Cytoplasm of axon
. Dense bundle of microtubules and neurofilaments and organelles that are being transported down axon
Difference between nerve fiber and axon
Nerve fiber is axon with sheath made by glial cells
Terminal arbors
. Fine branches at end of axon
. Each terminal capped w/ terminal boutons corresponding to synapses between neurons
Axonal transport
. Moves organelles and macromolecules between cell body and axon and it’s terminals
. Transport occurs in both directions
Anterograde axonal transport
. Transport from cell body towards terminals
. Moves macromolecules-containing vesicles and mitochondria along microtubules for passage of info from neuron to neuron
Retrograde axonal transport
. Transports from terminals toward cell body
. Allows neurons to respond to molecules (nerve growth factor/NGF)
. Aids in recycling components of axon terminals
How does rabies virus infect CNS?
. Transported in retrograde direction to cell bodies of neurons innervating muscle
Is tetanus toxin transported retrograde or anterograde?
Retrograde
Types of synapses
Chemical and electrical
Components of typical synapses
. Presynaptic element
. Post synaptic element
. Synaptic cleft
Presynaptic element in synapse
. Axonal Bouton w/ mitochondria supplying energy
. Collections of vesicles w/ neurotransmitters
Postsynaptic element in synapse
. Thick, dark in EM
. Mitochondria but no vesicles
Functional properties of synapses
. Unidirectional (only presynaptic had neurotransmitter and postsynaptic has receptor proteins)
. Strength of effect dependent on amt neurotransmitter released
What dictates excitatory or inhibitory response to neurotransmitters in synapses?
. Nature of specific receptors on postsynaptic membrane
Types of dopamine receptors and whether excitatory/inhibitory
. D1: excitation
. D2: inhibition
Classifications of synapses
. Axosomatic: axon ending on cell soma
. Axodendritic: axon ending on dendrite
. Axoaxonic: axon ending on axon
. Motor end-plate/neuromuscular plate: axon ending on muscle cell
How do dendrites receive signals
Via synapses or environment via special receptors