Neurons and Glia

Question 1

Parts of a neuron

Answer 1

soma, neurites (dendrites and axon), spines, axon collaterals, axon hillock, axon terminal

Question 2

Info moves from

Answer 2

dendrite to axon terminal

Question 3

Types of signals

Answer 3

excitatory synapses at spines and inhibitory synapses at dendritic shaft

Question 4

Axon vs dendrite

Answer 4

axon: longer, thinner, uniform diameter, fewer branches. dendrite: shorter, thicker, tapered, more highly branched

Question 5

microfilaments

Answer 5

aka actin, small (~5 nm), dynamic, involved in growth and movement, spines are actin rich

Question 6

neurofilaments (intermediate filament)

Answer 6

medium (~10 nm), controls thickness of neuritis, particularly enriched in the axon, strong

Question 7

microtubules

Answer 7

large (~20 nm), runs down the length of nerite to give basic shape, acts as a railroad for transport proteins

Question 8

axoplasmic transport

Answer 8

kineson (anterograde), dyenin (retrograde)

Question 9

oligodendrocytes

Answer 9

myelinate axons in the CNS

Question 10

schwann cells

Answer 10

myelinate axons in the PNS

Question 11

astrocytes

Answer 11

regulate extracellular space (ion concentrations, clearing neurotransmitter) in CNS, bringing nutrients to neurons from blood vessels, help form the BBB

Question 12

ependymal cells

Answer 12

make and circulate CSF in the CNS ventricles

Question 13

microglia

Answer 13

immune cells, clear debris and foreign substances from CNS