Neurones & Glial Cells Flashcards
How many Glia cells are there than neurones?
10 x as many
Name 3 functions of an astrocyte
Nutrition for neurones, remove neurotransmitters and maintain ionic environment
How do astrocytes provide energy for neurones?
Produce lactate and uses a glucose-lactate shuttle
What are microglia cells?
immunocompetent cells that phagocytose and remove debris
Why is the CNS immune specialised?
It inhibits the pro-inflammatory T cell response
What are the 3 chemical classes of neurotransmitter in the CNS?
Amino acids, Biogenic amines and Peptides
What is the main excitatory AA?
Glutamate
What are the main inhibitory AA?
GABA (brain) and Glycine (brainstem and spinal cord)
What are the 2 types of glutamate receptor?
Ionotropic and Metabotropic
Which Ionotrpoic receptor is also permeable to calcium?
NMDA receptors
How do GABA and Glycine receptors work?
Have integral CL- ion channels that cause hyperpolarization decreasing action potential firing
Is ACh mainly inhibitory or excitatory?
excitatory
Where is the largest group of cholinergic neurones in the brain?
Nucleus basalis
Degeneration of cholinergic neurones is associated with which disease?
Alzheimer’s disease
Which disease is associated with a loss of dopaminergic neurones?
Parkinsons disease
