Neural Cells Flashcards
What are the types of Neural Cells?
- Neurons
- Glia
What do neurons start as?
Neural stem cells in the CNS
Neural stem cells in the CNS differentiate into
Neuroblasts
Neurons receive
Excitatory or inhibitory input
What are the types of Glia?
- Astrocytes
- Microglia
- Ependymal Cells
- Oligodendrocytes
- Schwann Cells
Astrocytes are Glia cells of the
CNS
Astrocytes have end-feet which function to
Plaster on blood vessels, preventing molecules from leaving blood
Which Glia cells occupy a huge amount of space of CNS?
Astrocytes
Which Glia cells provide structural support of the CNS?
Astrocytes
Astrocytes perform Gliosis, which happens when
Cells proliferate, surround injury, and wall off the area of injury and form scar tissue
Astrocytes engage in homeostasis by
Balancing the interstitial fluid for neurons to function
How do Astrocytes keep the interstitial fluid stable?
They keep in and release ions
Astrocytes release lactate into the interstitial fluid, which functions to
Supply neurons if there are no oxygen
What clears out synapses between neurons?
Astrocytes
Microglia are derived from
Circulating monocytes
What are the types of Microglia?
- Resting
- Active
What are Resting Microglia?
Small soma with multiple, long processes hanging in different directions
What is the function of Resting Microglia?
They sit around the fluid and sample it.
When do Resting Microglia convert into Active Microglia?
When they detect inflammation
Active Microglia look like
Large blobs
Active Microglia look and act like
Macrophages
What do Active Microglia do to kill bacteria?
They secrete cytotoxic substances
Microglia place debris on their cell surfaces for
Lymphocytes, acting as Antigen-Presentation
Ependymal Cells are Glial Cells of the CNS that are lined with
Simple cuboidal epithelium
Ependymal Cells have microvilli that face
CSF
What is the function of the cilia of Ependymal Cells?
They move CSF around
Ependymal Cells form a barrier between
Interstital fluid and CSF
Oligodendrocytes are the Glia of the CNS that function to
Myelinate multiple axons
Schwann Cells are Glia cells of the
PNS
Unlike Oligodendrocytes, Schwann Cells are unable to
Myelinate multiple axons
Glial cells in the CNS are derived from
Neural stem cells
Glial cells in the PNS are derived from
Neural crest cells
Information is fired down the axon when
Threshold potential is crossed
What are Graded potentials?
Small and brief membrane potentials that are proportional to size and duration of input
Action potentials are large in size and
- Travel quickly down in axon
- Have consistent size and duration
Interneurons are
Neurons between neurons
