Neuronal physiology Flashcards
The Sodium/Potassium ATPase pump:
Is confined to nerve and muscle cells
False. It is found in many parts of the body.
The Sodium/Potassium ATPase pump:
Is associated with the removal of 2 sodium and entry of 3 potassium ions into the cell
False. The ratio is 3 sodium to 2 potassium.
The Sodium/Potassium ATPase pump:
Requires magnesium for pump activity
False. It does not require other ions.
The Sodium/Potassium ATPase pump:
Is the cause of high intracellular potassium compared with sodium
True. This maintains the cell homeostasis.
The Sodium/Potassium ATPase pump:
Keeps the osmotic balance within the cell
True. Pump failure will lead to sodium entering the cell, followed by water.
The resting membrane potential of a nerve fibre:
Depends upon the electropositive charge in the interior of the nerve
False. The interior of the cell is electronegative.
The resting membrane potential of a nerve fibre:
Increases when extracellular potassium concentration decreases
False. The resting potential will become more negative as extracellular potassium concentrations drop. The Nernst potential will become more negative with respect to the inside of the nerve.
The resting membrane potential of a nerve fibre:
Is obliterated when local anaesthetic is applied
False. Local anaesthetic impairs the passage of ions across the membrane. They don’t alter the RMP itself.
The resting membrane potential of a nerve fibre:
Is dependent on a threshold stimulus of sufficient magnitude
False. The RMP is independent of the threshold stimulus.
The resting membrane potential of a nerve fibre:
Is abolished by acetylcholine (Ach)
False. ACh doesn’t abolish the resting membrane potential.
The action potential:
Is generated by differing ionic concentrations of sodium and potassium
True
The action potential:
A negative potential inside the nerve drives potassium ions outside the cell
False. The potential itself does not drive potassium ion flux. They move out of the cell due to the concentration gradient set up by the Na/K pump.
The action potential:
Depolarization is caused by the transfer of sodium ions across the membrane
True
The action potential:
In the resting state the potential inside the nerve fibre is +85 mV
False. The resting potential in a nerve cell is about -70 mV.
The action potential:
At the peak of the action potential the voltage change is 35 mV
False. The electrical potential rises by about 105 mV to +35 mV.
Regarding the neuromuscular junction:
An action potential leads to the release of about 125 ACh vesicles
True. An action potential leads to the release of about 125 ACh vesicles.
Regarding the neuromuscular junction:
Opening of the ACh channels in the muscle membrane first allows an efflux of K+ ions
False. The initial action is influx of sodium.
Regarding the neuromuscular junction:
Acetylcholine binds to the beta subunit of the receptor
False. Two ACh molecules bind to the alpha subunits.
Regarding the neuromuscular junction:
Acetylcholinesterase in the synaptic cleft is bound to connective tissue
True. Acetylcholinesterase is bound to the basal lamina of connective tissue within the cleft.
Regarding the neuromuscular junction:
A sensation of fatigue is usually due to depletion of acetylcholine stores
False. Although NMJ fatigue (and depletion of ACh) can occur, it is rare and only at the extremes of activity.
Fibre types used for nervous system transmission include:
Sensory fibres from muscle tendon Golgi organs of type Aα
True
Fibre types used for nervous system transmission include:
Type Aγ fibres with a diameter of 0.25 microns
False. Type A fibres are divided into subtypes. Aγ fibres are 3-6 microns in diameter.
Fibre types used for nervous system transmission include:
Unmyelinated C fibres conducting at 1 ms-1
True
Fibre types used for nervous system transmission include:
Type Aγ fibres transmitting sympathetic motor impulses
False. Aγ fibres innervate muscle spindles. The sympathetic nervous system contains B and C fibres.
Fibre types used for nervous system transmission include:
Fibres of type Aβ transmitting from vibration sensing organs
True. They also transmit proprioception impulses.
Aα fibres have a conduction velocity of 70-120 ms-1
True
B fibres are all unmyelinated
False. B fibres are sympathetic and are mostly myelinated.
Aβ fibres convey afferent touch stimuli
True
Unmyelinated fibres can transmit at only 20 ms-1
False. Unmyelinated fibres transmit at lower velocities (in the range of 0.5-2 ms-1).
Conduction velocity is dependent upon nerve fibre diameter
True. Fibre diameters decrease through the group (from A to D).
With regards to Axons:
Are classified according to conduction velocity
True
With regards to Axons:
Connecting sympathetic ganglia to the cord are unmyelinated
False. Preganglionic sympathetic fibres are white rami and are myelinated (it is the myelin that makes them white).
With regards to Axons:
Arising from the alpha motor neurones have large diameters in comparison to other nerves
True. Compared to other nerve fibres, see table.
With regards to Axons:
Can conduct impulses in either direction
True. Axons can conduct in either direction, however synapses won’t work both ways.
With regards to Axons:
Are absolutely refractory during the period of increased potassium conductance
False. Absolute refractory period is related to sodium channel inactivation.
The conduction velocity of an action potential:
Is inversely related to the cross-sectional area of the axon
False. Larger axons conduct more quickly.
The conduction velocity of an action potential:
Is faster in a myelinated fibre than in an unmyelinated one
True. Myelinated fibres conduct up to 50 times faster, due to ‘saltatory’ conduction- jumping between nodes of Ranvier.
The conduction velocity of an action potential:
Is increased by cooling the nerve
False. Like most biological systems, it slows with cooling.
The conduction velocity of an action potential:
Can exceed 100 ms-1 in humans
True. Maximum velocity is up to 120 ms-1 in some A fibres.
The conduction velocity of an action potential:
Is highest in pre-ganglionic autonomic fibres
False. Pre-ganglionic fibres are in group B, conducting at 3-14 ms-1.
These modalities correspond to their pathways:
Proprioception via the dorsal columns
True. The dorsal columns transmit fine touch and proprioception.
These modalities correspond to their pathways:
Temperature and pain via the contralateral spinothalamic tracts
True
These modalities correspond to their pathways:
Fibres carrying fine touch sensation form the gracile and cuneate nuclei
True. Fine touch is transmitted in the posterior white column in the medial and lateral fasciculi, connecting to their respective cuneate and gracile nuclei.
These modalities correspond to their pathways:
Proprioception and the pyramidal tract
False. The pyramidal tract is a descending (motor) tract. The posterior and anterior spinocerebellar tracts ascend in the lateral column and transmit proprioception to the cerebellum without crossing.
These modalities correspond to their pathways:
Spinocerebellar tracts cross before reaching the cerebellum
False
Immediately after complete transection of the spinal cord the following features may be found below the lesion:
Loss of motor power but preservation of limb reflexes
False. Spinal shock ensues immediately after cord transection. This includes loss of reflexes. Hyper-reflexia occurs 2-6 weeks later.
Immediately after complete transection of the spinal cord the following features may be found below the lesion:
Urinary incontinence
True
Immediately after complete transection of the spinal cord the following features may be found below the lesion:
Loss of muscle power but preservation of sensation
False. Sensation will also be lost.
Immediately after complete transection of the spinal cord the following features may be found below the lesion:
Flaccid paralysis with loss of limb reflexes
True
Immediately after complete transection of the spinal cord the following features may be found below the lesion:
Loss of muscle power but preservation of muscle joint position sense
False. Joint position sense is also lost.
Concerning pain pathways:
The cell bodies of Aδ and C fibres reside within the dorsal root ganglion of the spinal cord
True. They are both first order neurones.
Concerning pain pathways:
Aδ fibres synapse with cells of the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord
False. Aδ fibres synapse with cells in laminae I and V of the dorsal horn whereas C fibres synapse with cells in the substantia gelatinosa (laminae II and III).
Concerning pain pathways:
C fibres synapse with cells in laminae II and III in the dorsal horn
True
Concerning pain pathways:
Most ascending neurones are in the anterolateral columns
True. Most second order neurones cross within a few segments and ascend in the anterolateral columns (spinothalamic tract).
Concerning pain pathways:
The substantia gelatinosa projects directly to higher levels
False
Spinal cord hemisection (The Brown-Sequard Syndrome) causes:
Contralateral paralysis
False. The Brown-Sequard Syndrome causes ipsilateral paralysis.
Spinal cord hemisection (The Brown-Sequard Syndrome) causes:
Ipsilateral loss of proprioception
True
Spinal cord hemisection (The Brown-Sequard Syndrome) causes:
Ipsilateral loss of pain sensation
False. Pain and temperature sensation are lost contra-laterally.
Spinal cord hemisection (The Brown-Sequard Syndrome) causes:
Contralateral loss of vibration sense
False. Vibration sense is carried by the ipsilateral dorsal columns.
Spinal cord hemisection (The Brown-Sequard Syndrome) causes:
Contralateral loss of temperature sensation
False
A reflex action:
May be carried out by glands, skeletal, smooth or cardiac muscle
True. The effector organs are usually muscles or glands which contract or secrete chemicals producing suitable responses.
A reflex action:
Is influenced by higher centres in the brain
True. The reflex pathways can be influenced by higher centres via the upper motor neurone descending tracts e.g. the cortico/rubro/reticulo/vestibulo/tecto-spinal tracts.
A reflex action:
Results from activity in at least two central nervous synapses in series
False. Monosynaptic reflexes (e.g. the stretch reflex) involve only one synapse.
A reflex action:
May involve simultaneous relaxation of some skeletal muscles and contraction of others
True. During a stretch reflex, the muscles that antagonise the action of the muscles involved relax due to reciprocal innervation.
A reflex action:
Can be either monosynaptic or polysynaptic
True
The knee jerk reflex:
Starts with stimulation of receptors in the patellar tendon
False. Receptors are spindles in the muscle.
The knee jerk reflex:
Is propagated through the lumbar segment L2
True. The knee jerk sensory fibre is a Ia fibre which synapses with an alpha motor neurone at the level of L2.
The knee jerk reflex:
Has a reflex arc which involves a single interneurone
False. It is independent of higher centres although can be influenced by activity in higher centres.
The knee jerk reflex:
Involves the femoral nerve
True. The femoral nerve supplies quadriceps.
The knee jerk reflex:
Is preserved immediately after transection of the spinal cord at T6
False. Transection of the cord is followed by a variable degree of spinal shock where all reflexes are depressed or absent. Recovery of reflexes may take up to 6 weeks.
The vagus nerve:
Has little direct effect on the strength of ventricular contraction
True
The vagus nerve:
Contains afferent and efferent fibres
True
The vagus nerve:
Contains parasympathetic post-ganglionic fibres
False. The preganglionic fibres of the parasympathetic division run almost to the organ innervated and then synapse in ganglia within the organ.
The vagus nerve:
Contains fibres which regulate gastric acid secretion
True
The vagus nerve:
Has a role in bladder emptying
False. The parasympathetic innervation of the bladder originates from the S2,3,4 segments of the spinal cord and preganglionic fibres passing through the pelvic nerves. Parasympathetic stimulation causes detrusor contraction and trigone + sphincter relaxation.
Concerning the sympathetic nervous system:
Preganglionic fibres are all unmyelinated
False
Concerning the sympathetic nervous system:
Synapses are in the lateral horn
False. The synapses are most frequently found in the sympathetic chains either side of the cord.
Concerning the sympathetic nervous system:
It transmits sensation of pain
True
Concerning the sympathetic nervous system:
Preganglionic fibres are shorter than postganglionic fibres
True
Concerning the sympathetic nervous system:
It has adrenergic ganglia
False. Post ganglionic synapses use norepinephrine as the neurotransmitter. The only exception is the neurones terminating in sweat glands, which use Acetylcholine.
Vagal efferent stimulation results in:
Decreased insulin secretion
False. Insulin secretion is increased.
Vagal efferent stimulation results in:
Decreased physiological dead space
True. It also causes bronchoconstriction thus reducing anatomical and therefore physiological dead space.
Vagal efferent stimulation results in:
Decreased gastrin secretion
False. Gastrin secretion is increased.
Vagal efferent stimulation results in:
Increased gastric acid secretion
True
Vagal efferent stimulation results in:
A reduction in bile production
False. Bile secretion is also increased.
The following receive only sympathetic innervation:
Lacrimal glands
False. The lacrimal glands are one of the few organs receiving only parasympathetic fibres.
The following receive only sympathetic innervation:
Piloerector Muscles
True. One of the few exceptions to dual sympathetic/parasympathetic control.
The following receive only sympathetic innervation:
Adipose tissue
True. Sympathetic innervation allows for mobilisation of fat stores.
The following receive only sympathetic innervation:
Juxtaglomerular apparatus
True
The following receive only sympathetic innervation:
Pupils
False. Pupils are under dual control. Sympathetic system causes mydriasis (pupil dilatation) whereas parasympathetic stimulation results in miosis (pupil constriction).
The membrane potential of a nerve fibre:
Is directly proportional to the diameter of the fibre
False
The membrane potential of a nerve fibre:
Is measured conventionally as negative on the inside
True
The membrane potential of a nerve fibre:
Represents an imbalance of charge across the two sided of a semi-permeable membrane
True
The membrane potential of a nerve fibre:
Reverses its polaity during an action potential
True
The membrane potential of a nerve fibre:
Can be calculated from the nernst equation
False
Compared with plasma, CSF contains:
Less Sodium
True