Neuroanatomy

Question 1

Neurons

Answer 1

nerve cells, are some of the most important parts of the nervous system
- important for information processing
- connected to synapses + axons

Question 2

Glial Cells

Answer 2

provide support for and contribute to information processing neurons
- just as important as neurons
- communicate with each other and with neurons and enhanced neural activity

Question 3

Neuron Doctrine

Answer 3

• the brain is composed of independent cells
• information is transmitted from cell to cell across synapses (the space between neurons that transmits info)

Question 4

How many Neurons in the Brain:

Answer 4

• Over 86 billion neurons that control our body and help us interact with our environment

Question 5

Neuron: Input Zone

Answer 5

receives information from other cells through dendrites

Question 6

Neuron: Integration Zone

Answer 6

cell body (soma) region where inputs are combined and transformed

Question 7

Neuron: Conduction Zone

Answer 7

single axon leads away from cell body and transmits the electrical impulse

Question 8

Neuron: Output Zone

Answer 8

axon terminals at the end of the axon communicate activity to the other cells

Question 9

Multipolar Neurons:

Answer 9

• (most common)
• one axon
• many dendrites

Question 10

Bipolar Neurons

Answer 10

• one axon
• one dendrite

Question 11

Unipolar Neurons

Answer 11

• a single extension branches in two directions, forming a receptive pole and output zone

Question 12

Motor Neurons

Answer 12

stimulate muscles or glands

Question 13

Sensory Neurons

Answer 13

respond to environmental stimuli
- light, odor, or touch

Question 14

Interneurons

Answer 14

receive input and send input to other neurons

Question 15

Synaptic Cleft

Answer 15

small space between a presynaptic neuron and postsynaptic neuron

Question 16

Presynaptic Neuron

Answer 16

sends information to the postsynaptic neurons
- information is transmitted through the axon

Question 17

Postsynaptic Neuron

Answer 17

receives information from the presynaptic neuron
- they contain ion channels that facilitate electrical activity
- information comes through the dendrites

Question 18

Synaptic Vesicles:

Answer 18

small spheres in the presynaptic axon terminals that contain neurotransmitters (specialized chemical substance)
- releases neurotransmitters in response to electrical activity in the axon

Question 19

Axonal Transport

Answer 19

the movement of materials within an axon via motor proteins

Question 20

Anterograde Transport

Answer 20

Cell Body to Axon Terminals

Question 21

Retrograde Transport

Answer 21

Axon Terminals to Cell Body

Question 22

Axons vs. Dendrites

Answer 22

Axons:
- usually one per neuron with many branches
- diameter is uniform until start of branching
- axon hillock is present
- myelin sheath
- ranges from not long to very long
Dendrites:
- many a neuron
- diameter is tapered towards the end
- no hillock or myelin sheath
- shorter than axons

Question 23

Glial Cells: Astrocytes

Answer 23

star shaped cells with many processes that monitor activity

Question 24

Glial Cells: Microglia

Answer 24

small cells that remove debris from injured cells

Question 25

Glial Cells: Oligodendrocytes

Answer 25

form myelin sheaths in the brain and spinal cord

Question 26

Glial Cells: Schwann Cells

Answer 26

provide myelin to cells outside the brain and spinal cord

Question 27

Myelin

Answer 27

to insulate and speed up connection

Question 28

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 28

gaps between myelin sections where the axon is exposed

Question 29

Multiple Sclerosis

Answer 29

demyelinating disease

Question 30

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 30

the brain and the spinal cord

Question 31

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 31

all parts that isn't the brain and the spinal cord

Question 32

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 32

for voluntary movement - skeletal muscles and sensory systems

Question 33

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 33

largely unconscious regulation of bodily functions - nerves that control viscera (internal organs: kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, etc.)