Neurophysiology Flashcards

1
Q

collections of myelinated axons in the central nervous system

A

white matter

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2
Q

an multi-layer lipid coat that “insulates” axons - formed by specialized glial cells in the peripheral (PNS) and
central nervous system (CNS)

A

Myelin

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3
Q

Although both the PNS and CNS have myelinated axons, only the ____ has white matter

A

CNS

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4
Q

Myelin increases the velocity of signal transmission along an
_____

A

axon

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5
Q

areas of the central nervous system that have relatively few myelinated axons. Mostly comprised of neuronal and glial cell bodies.

A

Grey matter

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6
Q

A collection of axons in the CNS. _________ are usually white matter

A

Tract, Large tracts

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7
Q

a collection of axons in the PNS

A

PNS

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8
Q

The longer an axon is, the more
“crucial” the information it carries -> the more likely that it will be __________

A

myelinated

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9
Q

__________ connect with other neurons via synapses

A

dendrites connect with other neurons via synapses

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10
Q

Cell body, axon hillock are the sites of _________

A

integration

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11
Q

If the stimuli that the neuron receives
excite it enough -> send a _______ down the axon

A

signal

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12
Q

Much of the volume of the cerebral cortex is ______ matter

A

white

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13
Q

______ matter forms a relatively thin layer superficially

A

Gray

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14
Q

How does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) differ from the central nervous system (CNS)?

A
  • different cells populate the PNS
  • Axons/nerves in the PNS can sometimes regenerate after damage
  • The PNS is much less “isolated” than the CNS – cells of the immune system are allowed to enter and exit the PNS more freely
  • Fewer neuronal cell bodies in the PNS versus the CNS
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15
Q

a collection of neuronal cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system

A

Ganglia

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16
Q

a collection of neuronal cell bodies in the central nervous system

A

Nuclei

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17
Q

Glial cell types in CNS

A
  • Astrocytes
  • Oligodendrocytes
  • Microglia
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18
Q

Fluid spaces within the CNS

A
  • Ventricles, ependymal cells, choroid plexus
  • Interstitial fluid
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19
Q

Most numerous cells in the CNS, the highest numbers in the
gray matter
- Roughly 8 - 10X more astrocytes in the CNS than neurons

A

Astrocytes

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20
Q

The critical role of Astrocytes in CNS physiology

A
  • Facilitate the formation and strengthening of synapses
    (neuroplasticity)
  • Regulate the concentration of ions in the interstitial fluid
  • Structural support for the brain
  • Barrier functions: induce the formation of the BBB at the brain microvasculature, form a “limiting membrane” at the external CNS
    surface
  • “Feed” neurons
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21
Q

how does the astrocyte provide structural support for the brain

A

Intermediate filament – GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein)

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22
Q

how does the astrocyte “feed” the neurons

A

help extract nutrients from the blood, provide nutrients to neurons to support energy metabolism

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23
Q

how does the astrocyte provide barrier functions

A

induce the formation of the BBB at the brain
microvasculature, form a “limiting membrane” at the external CNS
surface

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24
Q

Astrocytes are connected to each other via

A

gap junctions
- Small “tunnels” that connect the intracellular fluid of astrocytes to each other (span the cell membranes and connect cell to cell) in a network known as a syncytium

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25
Q

what is a syncytium?

A

Small “tunnels” that connect the intracellular fluid of astrocytes to each other (span the cell membranes and connect cell to cell) in a network known

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26
Q

“waves” of _______ increases and general depolarization that move through the brain, astrocyte-to-astrocyte have been observed

A

calcium
- may help the effectiveness of neuronal signaling and neuroplasticity – being actively studied

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27
Q

processes of the Oligodendrocytes

A

Each process wraps around the axon of a CNS neuron many times, “sheathing” the axon in myelin

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28
Q

compacted layers of cell membrane rich in sphingolipids that have very little cytosol

A

Myelin sheath

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29
Q

Function of myelin:

A
  • Increases the speed with which an action potential moves down an axon
  • Reduces the energy consumed by movement of an action potential down an axon – more efficient signaling
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30
Q

Roughly _____ as many oligodendrocytes as neurons in the CNS

A

twice

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31
Q

Microglial cells are small-bodied glial cells that:

A
  • Remove (phagocytosis) cellular debris
  • Monitor the environment and fight pathogens
  • If the pathogen cannot be eliminated by resident
    microglia, they “call in” other white blood cells through
    secretion of soluble factors (cytokines) and can present
    antigen to other immune cells
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32
Q

_________ cells are derived from blood-borne immune cells
(monocytes) that migrate into the CNS

A

Microglial cells

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33
Q

what glial cell is roughly as numerous as neurons in the CNS

A

microglial cells

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34
Q

the CF fluid is Around the periphery of the brain
in the ____________ space and central canal of the spinal
cord

A

subarachnoid and central canal of the spinal
cord

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34
Q

The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid – roughly ______ total

A

150 mL

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35
Q

CSF is a specialized fluid formed from the _______ plexus – a complex of capillaries and epithelial cells

A

choroid

Mostly located in the lateral ventricles

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36
Q

CSF production & circulation: Produced in the floor of the
__________ by the choroid plexus

A

lateral ventricle

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37
Q

CSF moves from the lateral ventricles -> __ ventricle -> ___ ventricle

A

3rd to 4th

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38
Q

CSF Circulates into the subarachnoid space and down the spinal cord. Eventually absorbed by specialized structures known as _________ granulations

A

arachnoid
- Transport CSF fluid into venous structures

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39
Q

what drives the movement of CSF

A

Ependymal cells that line the ventricles are
ciliated – movement of cilia drives the
movement of CSF

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40
Q

CSF production is carefully regulated in the ___________. Selectively transports water, electrolytes, nutrients from blood to CSF.

A

choroid plexus

41
Q

________ _______ prevent unwanted substances from entering the CSF

A

Tight junctions

42
Q

The interstitial fluid (extracellular fluid) of the
brain and spinal cord is formed by: Filtration of CSF from the ventricles through the _________ _______

A

ependymal cells
- there is regulated filtration of fluid through capillaries
deeper in the CNS tissue

43
Q

The central nervous system is
isolated/protected from a number of
factors that can circulate through the
bloodstream including (3)

A

immune cells (white blood cells)
noxious wastes and toxins
pathogens

44
Q

The CNS structure is delicate, and its function depends on its precise architecture – usually white blood cells _______ allowed into the CNS

A

aren’t

45
Q

Most capillaries in the body are quite
leaky. Immune cells cross capillaries with little
________ when endothelial cells express signals to call them in

A

difficulty

46
Q

what is the name of the structures that cause increased tight junction expression in capillary endothelial cells?

A

Endfeet

47
Q

what cell contacts capillaries in the CSf via structures known as endfeet

A

Astrocytes

48
Q

Endfeet also ____ capillaries what to transport into the CNS tissue. How?

A

“tell”
Cause endothelial cells to express transport proteins for desirable molecules and inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory signals

49
Q

strong, fibrous connective tissue covering that surrounds each nerve. Blood vessels run within this layer – known as the vasa nervorum

A

Epineurium

50
Q

surrounds bundles of axons (some myelinated, some not) known as fascicles

A

Perineurium

51
Q

The perineurium is formed by __________-like cells arranged in sheets 2-6 cells thick

A

fibroblast
Tight junctions are found between these cells – therefore the perineural layer can regulate what moves into the fascicle

52
Q

delicate connective tissue layer that surrounds individual axons

A

Endoneurium

53
Q

The Blood-Nerve Barrier (BNB) is made up of

A

Barrier 1 and Barrier 2
Both barriers actively regulate the movement of ions
and immune cells into the fascicles

54
Q

Barrier 1 of the BNB - the cells of the _________ and the tight junctions between them

A

perineurium

55
Q

Barrier 2 of the BNB - the ________ cells that line the capillaries within the fascicles also express many tight junctions

A

endothelial

56
Q

The BNB is much ______ (more/less) permissive to the entrance of white blood cells (leukocytes) than the BBB. Why might this be?

A

more
- May relate to the ability of peripheral nerves to regenerate after being severed
- White blood cells are crucial for repair in most tissues

57
Q

provide the myelin sheath for axons within fascicles

A

Schwann cells (PNS)

58
Q

how do schwann cells differe from oligodendrocytes

A

in that one cell only myelinates one axon
- Each oligodendrocyte myelinates multiple nearby axons
- Schwann cells can extend as far as 1 mm along an axon

59
Q

what type of cells surround, protect, and nourish neuronal cell bodies located in ganglia

A
  • Satellite cells
  • Interestingly, they do not establish a “blood-ganglion barrier” – the dorsal root ganglia and autonomic ganglia don’t seem to need one
60
Q

Multiple ____________ are closely apposed to neuronal cell bodies. They have Nutritional and ionic homeostasis roles

A

satellite cells

61
Q

______ are the “input” area of the neuron

A

dendrites
- Usually multiple processes that connect to the soma
(body) of the neuron
- Dendritic spines stud dendrites – the spines are
positioned very close to axon terminals to form synapses

62
Q

The morphologic relationship of the dendritic spine to
the axon terminal can influence the _________ of the synapse

A

effectiveness
- spines and axon terminals are almost touching
(about 20 nm apart)

63
Q

More “effective” dendritic spines are ones that carry
more information to the rest of the neuron – they tend to
be…. (what do they look like?)

A

larger, broader, and “mushroom-shaped”

64
Q

Spine maturation makes the synapse more effective.
The “filopodia” dendritic spine below is _______ and
“looking for a connection” with an axon terminal.

A

immature

65
Q

The “mushroom” and “branched” spines were shown to elicit more _________ neuronal responses when they are stimulated

A

effective

66
Q

Site of protein synthesis for the rest of the neuron

A

the soma or neuronal cell body

67
Q

basophilic area near the nucleus composed of lots of free ribosomes and rER

A

Nissl substance
- The larger the neuron and the more extensive the
processes, the more protein synthesis is necessary

68
Q

______________: intermediate filaments that are more concentrated in axons – provide structural stability for neuronal processes

A

Neurofilaments

69
Q

______________: have opposite orientation in dendrites
vs. axons – this is arranged in the cell body. Ensures that dendritic and axonal components are directed to the right places

A

microtubules

70
Q

_______, _________, and _________ are the sites of a unique electrical phenomenon of the cell membrane known as an action potential

A

The axon, axon hillock, and synaptic terminals

71
Q

Axons can be myelinated by ______________ (in PNS) or _____________ (in CNS)

A

Axons can be myelinated by Schwann cells (PNS) or oligodendrocytes (CNS)

72
Q

Myelin sheaths are separated by myelin-free segments are known as _______________. They are crucial to action potential generation

A

nodes of Ranvier

73
Q

These neurons have a distal process that either interacts with a sensory receptor or serves as a sensory receptor. The proximal process synapses in the CNS. The process that connects A to B behaves as an axon

A

Pseudo-unipolar neurons

74
Q

what type of neuron is Typical of dorsal root ganglion cells – somatic sensation

A

Pseudo-unipolar neurons

75
Q

These neurons have a distal process (A)
that acts as a dendrite – it either serves as
a sensory receptor or interacts with a sensory receptor. The proximal process synapses in the CNS
– it is an axon and conducts action potentials

A

Bipolar neurons

76
Q

what type of neuron is typical of neurons that detect the special senses – vision, hearing, smell

A

Bipolar neurons

77
Q

this is the most common type of neuron. Dendrites receive information from other neurons via synaptic terminals. The cell body summates and integrates this information.

A

Multipolar neurons

78
Q

The axon of a multipolar neuron carries action potentials to (3):

A
  • Other neurons
  • Glands
  • Muscle tissue
79
Q

what type of neuron is typical of all interneurons and
somatic motor neurons

A

Multipolar neurons

80
Q

nerves that carry (sensory) information to the central nervous system

A

Afferent

81
Q

Cranial nerve afferents special senses:

A

CN I, II, VII, VIII, IX, X

82
Q

Cranial nerve afferents somatic senses:

A

Mostly CN V

83
Q

Cranial nerve afferents visceral Sensory

A

CN IX and X
- Baroreceptors
- Visceral sensation from most of the alimentary tract, lungs, heart

84
Q

Sensation is composed of a number of distinct steps:

A
  • detection of physical/chemical stimulus by some type of receptor
  • transduction
  • other neurons at various levels of the CNS can detect the electrical impulse and modify its intensity and route the signal to CNS locations
  • perception
85
Q

transforming the physical stimulus into an
electrical impulse that can be carried along an axon

A

transduction

86
Q

conscious awareness of the sensation – this
occurs at the level of the cortex

A

perception
- Some sensory afferent information is not perceived à
osmolarity, blood pressure, etc.

87
Q

Somatic sensation below the neck: skin receptors

A

pain, temperature, fine
and coarse touch, vibration

88
Q

Somatic sensation below the neck: Joint and intra-muscular receptors

A

golgi tendon organs, muscle spindles,
joint receptors -> proprioception

89
Q

Visceral Sensation below the neck

A
  • Distal portions of the colon
  • Bladder
  • Reproductive organs
90
Q

a motor neuron synapses with some sort of
effector so that it can activate it when the neuron is excited

A

motor system

91
Q

multiple electrical signals travelling down
the axon – known as action potentials

A

excitation

92
Q

Examples of effectors:

A
  • Skeletal muscle (voluntary movements)
  • Smooth muscle (blood vessels, GI tract, genitourinary tract, respiratory tract)
  • Glands (endocrine or exocrine
93
Q

neurons that carry information from the CNS to the peripheral nervous system

A

Efferents

94
Q

Somatic Motor efferents – control of skeletal muscles

A

Usually voluntary
Some we don’t have conscious control over (i.e. middle ear muscles)

95
Q

Major cranial nerves – somatic motor: muscles of pharynx

A

IX, X, XII

96
Q

Major cranial nerves – somatic motor: controls the position of the eyeballs

A

III, IV, VI

97
Q

Major cranial nerves – somatic motor: the face, head and neck

A

CN V, VII, XI - trigeminal, facial and accessory (innverates SCM and trap)

98
Q

Visceral motor efferents – cranial nerve PaNS: (3)

A

CN X – PaNS control for the heart, lungs, and majority of the GI system

CN III – PaNS control over pupillary muscles

CN VII, IX – PaNS control over salivary, tear glands

99
Q

The Sympathetic Nervous System: Flight or Flight Effect

A
  • Increases heart rate and cardiac output
  • Improves ventilation
  • Decreases digestive function
  • Increases glucose availability (gluconeogenesis,
    glycogenolysis)
  • Increases blood flow to skeletal muscles, heart
  • Decreases blood flow to GI tract, skin, kidneys
  • Major hormones/neurotransmitters: epinephrine and
    norepinephrine
100
Q

The Parasympathetic Nervous System: “Rest and digest” Effect

A
  • Decreases heart rate and cardiac output
  • Bronchoconstriction and increased mucous secretion
  • Increases digestive function and GI motility
  • Increases blood flow to the digestive tract
  • Major neurotransmitter: acetylcholine