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Cellular Neuroscience > Neurons and Glia > Flashcards

Neurons and Glia Flashcards

1
Q

Neurons are___ Continuous

A

Not

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2
Q

Evidence for chemical transmission in a synapse

A
  • Shows a delay in transmission, where if it was only electrical, it should have none
  • Flow of information in a chain is unidirectional
  • Transmission at synapses was found to be excitatory as well as inhibitory
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3
Q

Soma

A

Cell body where metabolic processes of the cell occur.

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4
Q

Axon

A

process that leaves the cell body (soma)

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5
Q

Dendrite

A

term used to describe branches on which
incoming fibers (afferents) make connections (synapses).

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6
Q

Spines

A

Thorn-like protrusions on dendrites; site of most synapses.

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7
Q

Synapses

A

Receiving stations for excitation or inhibition.

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8
Q

Unipolar Cell

A

only 1 neurite;
often seen in invertebrates/insects

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9
Q

Bipolar Cell –

A

1 dendrite, 1 axon;
peripheral nervous system, e.g. retina

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10
Q

Pseudo-unipolar Cell

A

no
dendrites, but an axon that splits into 2
branches (peripheral nervous
system/spinal cord)

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11
Q

Multipolar Cells

A

– most common
in CNS; multiple dendrites, 1 axon

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12
Q

GABAergic Interneurons are

A

(inhibitory neurons)

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13
Q

Glia cells outnumber neurons by a ratio of

A

~ 3:1
ratios vary considerably by brain area

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14
Q

5 Main Functions of Glial Cells

A
  1. to surround neurons and hold them in place (→ Astrocytes)
  2. to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons (→ Astrocytes; Ependymal cells)
  3. to insulate one neuron from another (→ Oligodendrocytes)
  4. to destroy pathogens, and remove dead neurons (→ Microglia)
  5. modulate neurotransmission by making more or less neurotransmitter-precursor available (Astrocytes)
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15
Q

Role of Microglia

A

immune cells for the brain

Make up 10-15% of all cells in brain

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16
Q

Microglia in their resting state…

A

move around and survey their domain for debris.

17
Q

After injury or inflammation, microglia…

AKA Alerted/Migratory AND Reactive/Fully Activated Microglia

A

are activated and they
migrate to the site of injury to
help clear dead and dying cells

debris

they phagocytose

18
Q

Microglia work with…

A

astrocytes to repair or isolate lesions in the nervous system

19
Q

Microglia can also produce small molecules called

A

cytokines that trigger
cells of the immune system to respond to the injury site.

20
Q

Microglia can be seen as a double edged sword because…

A

They can produce both neurotoxic (disturbs neuronal function; such as inflammatory cytokines) and neuroprotective factors

21
Q

Types of Macroglia

A
  • Astrocytes
  • oligodendrocytes / Schwann cells
  • Ependymal cells
22
Q

Astrocytes make up…

A

~50% of all the cells in the brain

23
Q

Astrocytes can be classified into several subtypes based on

A

lineage (development), anatomy, or receptor/transporter
expression

24
Q

Four Functions of Astrocytes

A
  • Structural
  • Transmitter uptake and release
  • Regulation of ion concentration
  • Blood-brain barrier support

Also:
* Glycogen fuel reserve buffer
* Metabolic support: provide neurons with nutrients such as
lactate.
* Glucose sensing.
* Promotion of the myelinating activity of oligodendrocytes
* Nervous system repair

25
Q

Structural Functions of Astrocytes

A
  • closely associated with neuronal synapses.
  • Regulate synaptic transmission
26
Q

Function of Astrocytes: Transmitter uptake and release

A

express plasma
membrane transporters such as glutamate transporters for
several neurotransmitters, including glutamate, ATP, and
GABA.

important for neurotransmitter synthesis and regulation of the metabolic
activities of neurons.

They take up and recycle GABA and glutamate that are released at synaptic clefts.

They then release glutamine, which can be used by neurons to make new glutamate
(excitatory) and/or GABA (inhibitory).

27
Q

Function of Astrocytes: Regulation of ion concentration

A

(esp. potassium) in the extracellular space

28
Q

Function of Astrocytes: Blood–brain barrier

A

with endothelial cells that form
the blood-brain barrier that protects the brain.
Astrocyte activity is linked to blood flow in the brain,

29
Q

Oligodendrocytes

A

produce the myelin sheath
around axons in the CNS
One oligodendrocyte makes multiple segments of myelin that
wrap around several axons.

30
Q

Schwann Cells

A

produce the myelin sheath
around axons in the PNS
* Each Schwann cell makes one segment of myelin

31
Q

MS destroys…

A

Oligodendrocytes

32
Q

Myelin

A

acts as an electrical insulator to increase the speed of
conduction along the axon
→ increases Rm and decreases C

33
Q

Ependymal cells

A

form the epithelial lining of the ventricles in theThe layer
of ependymalderived cells
surrounding the
blood vessels of the
choroid plexus
produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
brain and the central canal of the spinal cord.

Cellular Neuroscience (10 decks)

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