Neurons Flashcards
Constitute the genetic, anatomic, trophic, and
functional units of the nervous system
Neurons
Have the capacity to receive impulses from receptor
organs or other neurons
Neurons
Have lost the capacity to undergo cell division
Neurons
Have the capacity to transmit impulses to other neurons or effector organs
Neurons
Consist of the cell body and its processes, dendrites, and a single axon
Neurons
the name given to the nerve cell and all its
processes
Neuron
excitable cells that are specialized for the
reception of stimuli and the conduction of the nerve impulse
neurons
Single neurite divides
a short distance from
cell body
Unipolar
Many dendrites and
one long axon
Multipolar
Single neurite
emerges from either
end of cell body
Bipolar
Single long axon
Golgi type I
Short axon that are
with dendrites resembling a star-
shape appearance
Golgi type II
Location of Unipolar
Posterior root
ganglion
Location of Bipolar
Retina, sensory
cochlea, and
vestibular ganglia
Location of multipolar
Fiber tracts of brain
and spinal cord,
peripheral nerves, and
motor cells of spinal
cord
Location of Golgi Type I
Fiber tracts of brain
and spinal cord,
peripheral nerves, and
motor cells of spinal
cord
Location of Golgi Type II
Cerebral and
cerebellar cortex
Also called the soma or perikaryon
NERVE CELL BODY
Contains the organelles found in other cells, including a large nucleus and a prominent nucleolus
NERVE CELL BODY
Has receptor molecules on its plasmalemmal surface that confer sensitivity to various neurotransmitters
NERVE CELL BODY
Is characteristic of nerve cells and consists of
rossettes of polysomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum
NISSL SUBSTANCE
Plays role in protein synthesis
NISSL SUBSTANCE
Is abundant throughout the cytoplasm and dendrites but is not found in the axon hillock or in the axon
NISSL SUBSTANCE
Are membrane-bound dense bodies that contain
hydrolytic enzymes and are involved in the process of
intracellular digestion
LYSOSOMES
Removes metabolized substances in the
neuron
LYSOSOMES
A genetic defect in the synthesis of lysosomal enzyme
results in a storage disease
(Tay-Sachs disease [GM2
gangliosidosis])
Lysosomes exist in 3 forms
Primary lysosomes: which have just been
formed
o Secondary lysosomes: which contain
partially digested material
▪ Eventually will be needed to
remove from the neuron
o Residual bodies: in which the enzymes are
inactive and the bodies have evolved from
digestible materials
Form an internal supportive network, the
cytoskeleton
FILAMEONTOUS PROTEN STRUCTURES
Largest among the filamentous protein structures found in the neuron
Microtubules (25nm in diameter)
Are found in the cell body, dendrites and axons
Microtubules (25nm in diameter)
Crucial in the development and maintenance of cell shape
Microtubules (25nm in diameter)
Responsible for the intracellular transport of peptide vesicles and organelles
Microtubules (25nm in diameter)
Second largest among the filamentous protein
structures
Neurofilaments (10nm in diameter)
Consists of spiral protein threads that play a role in
developing and regenerating nerve fibers
Neurofilaments (10nm in diameter)
Degenerate in Alzheimer’s disease to form
neurofibrillary tangles
Neurofilaments (10nm in diameter)
Are composed of actin
Microfilaments (5nm in diameter)
Facilitate movement of plasma membrane and
growth of nerve cell processes
Microfilaments (5nm in diameter)
Pigmented inclusions of cytoplasm that accumulate with aging
Lipofuscin (lipochrome granules)
considered residual bodies derived from
lysosomes
Lipofuscin (lipochrome granules)
A blackish pigment in the neurons of the substancia nigra and locus ceruleus
Neuromelanin (melanin)
Disappears from the substancia nigra and the locus ceruleus in Parkinson’s disease
Neuromelanin (melanin)
Are eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies
found in the substancia nigra in patients with
Parkinson’s disease
Lewy bodies
Are intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies found in the
hippocampus in patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Hirano bodies
Are intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies found in people
with rabies
Negri and lyssa bodies
Are processes that extend from the cell body
DENDRITES
Contain cytoplasm similar in composition to that of
the cell body, however no Golgi apparatus is present
DENDRITES
Conduct in a decremental fashion but may be capable
of generating action potentials
DENDRITES
Receive synaptic input and and transmit it toward the
cell body
DENDRITES
Arise from either the cell body or a dendrite
AXONS
Originate from the axon hillock (devoid of Nissl
substance)
AXONS
Give rise to the collateral branches
AXONS
May be myelinated or unmyelinated
AXONS
Generate, propagate, and transmit action potential
AXONS
End distally in terminal boutons in synapses with neurons, muscle cells, and glands
AXONS
Consists of axons and their glial investments
NERVE FIBERS
Are classified by function, fiber size, and conduction velocity
NERVE FIBERS
Is the name given to an axon (or dendrite) of a nerve
cell
NERVE FIBERS
Bundles of nerve fibers found in the central nervous
system are often referred to
nerve tracts
Bundles of nerve fibers found in the peripheral
nervous system are called
peripheral nerves
Diameter
Ia (Aα)
12-20
Diameter
IB (Aα)
12-20
Diameter
II (Aβ)
5-12
Diameter
III (Aδ)
2-5
Diameter
IV (C)
0.5-1