Neurons and Glia

Question 1

Anterograde transport

Answer 1

A cellular process responsible for the movement of substance from the cell body to the distal parts of a cell

Question 2

Aspinous neuron

Answer 2

A neuron lacking dendritic spines

Question 3

Astrocyte

Answer 3

A star-shaped glial cell of the central nervous system

Question 4

Axon

Answer 4

The long thread-like part of a neuron along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells

Question 5

Axon collateral

Answer 5

Branches off a neuron’s main axon

Question 6

Axon hillock

Answer 6

The site in the soma where membrane potentials propagated from synaptic inputs are summated before being transmitted to the axon

Question 7

Axon terminal (bouton)

Answer 7

The enlarged club-shaped endings by which axons make synaptic connections with other neurons or effector cells

Question 8

Axoplasmic transport

Answer 8

A cellular process responsible for the movement of substances from the soma down the axon

Question 9

Bipolar neuron

Answer 9

A neuron with two neurites extending from the soma

Question 10

Cytoskeleton

Answer 10

A microscopic network of protein filaments and tubules in the cytoplasm of many living cells, giving them shape and coherence

Question 11

Cytosol

Answer 11

The aqueous component of the cytoplasm of a cell, within which various organelles and particles are suspended

Question 12

Dendrite

Answer 12

A short branched extension of a neuron, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body

Question 13

Dendritic tree

Answer 13

The structure formed by multiple dendrites from the same neuron

Question 14

Dendritic spine

Answer 14

A small membranous protrusion from a neuron’s dendrite that typically receives input from a single axon at the synapse, supported by an actin cytoskeleton

Question 15

Endoplasmic reticulum

Answer 15

A network of membranous tubules within the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell, continuous with the nuclear membrane. It usually has ribosomes attached and is involved in protein and lipid synthesis.

Question 16

Istology

Answer 16

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.

Question 17

Gene expression

Answer 17

The processes of DNA transcription and translation

Question 18

Genetic engineering

Answer 18

The deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material.

Question 19

Genome

Answer 19

The complete set of genes present in a cell or organism

Question 20

Glial cell

Answer 20

Supporting cells of the nervous system. Three types (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells) are created from the neuroepithelial cells of the neural tube, and are hence siblings of nerve cells.

Question 21

Golgi stain

Answer 21

A silver staining technique that is used to visualise nervous tissue under light microscopy.

Question 22

Green fluorescent protein

Answer 22

A protein that glows green under fluorescent light.

Question 23

Interneuron

Answer 23

A neuron which transmits impulses between other neurons.

Question 24

Microglia

Answer 24

mmune cells that migrated in to the central nervous system during early development, that function as macrophages.

Question 25

Microtubule

Answer 25

A microscopic tubular structure present in numbers in the cytoplasm of many eukaryotic cells, sometimes aggregating to form more complex structures. Mitochondrion – An organelle in which the biochemical process of respiration and energy production occur.

Question 26

Mitochondrion

Answer 26

An organelle in which the biochemical process of respiration and energy production occur.

Question 27

Multipolar neuron

Answer 27

A neuron with multiple neurites extending from the soma

Question 28

Neurite

Answer 28

Neuronal processes extending from the soma, namely axons and dendrites

Question 29

Neurofilament

Answer 29

Intermediate filaments found in the cytoplasm of neurons.

Question 30

Neuronal membrane

Answer 30

The cell membrane of the axon, soma and dendrites of a neuron.

Question 31

Nissl stain

Answer 31

A method for staining RNA to visualise neurons

Question 32

Oligodendrocyte

Answer 32

A glial cell concerned with the production of myelin in the central nervous system.

Question 33

Perikaryon

Answer 33

The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus. Also known as the soma.

Question 34

Primary sensory neuron

Answer 34

Neurons with neurites in the sensory surfaces of the body.

Question 35

Retrograde transport

Answer 35

A cellular process responsible for the movement of substance from the distal parts of a cell to the cell body

Question 36

Schwann cell (neurolemmocyte)

Answer 36

A glial cell concerned with the production of myelin in the peripheral nervous system.

Question 37

Soma

Answer 37

The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus. Also known as the perikaryon.

Question 38

Spiny neuron

Answer 38

A neuron with dendritic spines

Question 39

Terminal bouton

Answer 39

The specialised presynaptic terminal at the end of an axo

Question 40

Transgenic mice

Answer 40

A genetically modified mouse that has had its genome altered through the use of genetic engineering techniques.

Question 41

Unipolar neuron

Answer 41

A neuron with a single neurite extending from the soma