Neuron Anatomy (Exam 1)

Question 1

What are the 2 types of cells in the NS?

Answer 1

neuroglia and neurons

Question 2

Which cells of the NS control the environment, play a role in communication, and undergo cell division?

Answer 2

neuroglia

Question 3

Which cells of the NS receive and transmit signals?

Answer 3

neurons

Question 4

What are the “big cells” in the NS?

Answer 4

neurons

Question 5

What are the “small cells” in the NS?

Answer 5

neuroglia

Question 6

What are the 6 types of neuroglia cells in adults?

Answer 6

1) astrocytes
2) ependymal cells
3) oligodendrocytes
4) microglia
5) schwann cells
6) satellite cells

Question 7

What are the neuroglia cells of the CNS?

Answer 7

1) astrocytes
2) ependymal cells
3) oligodendrocytes
4) microglia

Question 8

What are the neuroglia cells of the PNS?

Answer 8

1) schwann cells
2) satellite cells

Question 9

Which neuroglia is star shaped?

Answer 9

astrocytes

Question 10

Which neuroglia is the most abundant?

Answer 10

astrocytes

Question 11

What are the MANY functions of astrocytes?

Answer 11

-processes and anchors capillaries to neurons
-role in BBB (structural support, form, and maintain tight junctions)
-help regulate CNS microenvironment
-processes wrap around synapses
-maintains normal conc. of interstitial K+ and neurotransmitters (will take up potassium, recapture and recycle neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA)
-play a role in CNS tissue repair post injury, activated inflammation, or control migration of immune response cells
-secrete neurotropic growth factors called nerve growth factor (NGF) which stimulates neuron tissue maintenance and repair
-form a glial scar around an area of focal damage

Question 12

What is the 2nd most abundant glia cell in the brain?

Answer 12

microglia

Question 13

What are the functions of microglia cells?

Answer 13

-play a role in CNS immune system
-arise from hemopoietic stem cells (not true nervous tissue)
-first and primary line of defense (clean up crew)
-remove debris resulting from normal regeneration and tissue injury

Question 14

What are the functions of schwann cells?

Answer 14

-forms myelin sheath around long axons (made up of white lipoprotein which makes up white matter)
-increases speed of nerve transmission
-phagocytize cellular debris
-roll in growth and maintenance of PNS neurons
-secretes nerve growth factor (NGF)
-role in repair of damaged/injured neurons
-assist macrophages in removing debris
-assists in aligning severed stumps

Question 15

Schwann cells wrap around the axon up to 100x and is held together by an adhesive protein called….

Answer 15

myelin protein zero

Question 16

Neurons have 3 basic parts. What are they?

Answer 16

1) cell body/soma/perikaryon
2) dendrites
3) axons

Question 17

Where is the location of most synapses?

Answer 17

dendrites

Question 18

Which part of the neuron transmits signals to the soma?

Answer 18

dendrites

Question 19

The portion of the axon terminal that comes within close proximity to another cell is the _____________ membrane

Answer 19

presynaptic

Question 20

The axon terminal and presynaptic membrane contain what channels?

Answer 20

voltage gated calcium channels

Question 21

What proteins are found on the presynaptic membrane and what is their function?

Answer 21

tSNAREs, which function to fasten vesicles to the presynaptic membrane

Question 22

Vesicles in the axon terminal contain what?

Answer 22

neurotransmitters

Question 23

What is the function of vSNAREs?

Answer 23

-vesicle membrane proteins
-function to aid in the merging and fusing of the vesicle to the axon terminal presynaptic membrane to release neurotransmitters

Question 24

What is the function of tSNAREs?

Answer 24

-axon terminal membrane proteins
-intertwine with vSNAREs to merge and fuse vesicles to the presynaptic membrane

Question 25

Where are phospholipids found within neurons?

Answer 25

SER

Question 26

What are nissl bodies?

Answer 26

cytoplasmic masses composed of flattened stacks of RER surrounded by free ribosomes for protein synthesis