Neurophysiology Flashcards
collections of myelinated axons in the central nervous system
white matter
an multi-layer lipid coat that “insulates” axons - formed by specialized glial cells in the peripheral (PNS) and
central nervous system (CNS)
Myelin
Although both the PNS and CNS have myelinated axons, only the ____ has white matter
CNS
Myelin increases the velocity of signal transmission along an
_____
axon
areas of the central nervous system that have relatively few myelinated axons. Mostly comprised of neuronal and glial cell bodies.
Grey matter
A collection of axons in the CNS. _________ are usually white matter
Tract, Large tracts
a collection of axons in the PNS
PNS
The longer an axon is, the more
“crucial” the information it carries -> the more likely that it will be __________
myelinated
__________ connect with other neurons via synapses
dendrites connect with other neurons via synapses
Cell body, axon hillock are the sites of _________
integration
If the stimuli that the neuron receives
excite it enough -> send a _______ down the axon
signal
Much of the volume of the cerebral cortex is ______ matter
white
______ matter forms a relatively thin layer superficially
Gray
How does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) differ from the central nervous system (CNS)?
- 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
a collection of neuronal cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system
Ganglia
a collection of neuronal cell bodies in the central nervous system
Nuclei
Glial cell types in CNS
- Astrocytes
- Oligodendrocytes
- Microglia
Fluid spaces within the CNS
- Ventricles, ependymal cells, choroid plexus
- Interstitial fluid
Most numerous cells in the CNS, the highest numbers in the
gray matter
- Roughly 8 - 10X more astrocytes in the CNS than neurons
Astrocytes
The critical role of Astrocytes in CNS physiology
- 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
how does the astrocyte provide structural support for the brain
Intermediate filament – GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein)
how does the astrocyte “feed” the neurons
help extract nutrients from the blood, provide nutrients to neurons to support energy metabolism
how does the astrocyte provide barrier functions
induce the formation of the BBB at the brain
microvasculature, form a “limiting membrane” at the external CNS
surface
Astrocytes are connected to each other via
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
what is a syncytium?
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
“waves” of _______ increases and general depolarization that move through the brain, astrocyte-to-astrocyte have been observed
calcium
- may help the effectiveness of neuronal signaling and neuroplasticity – being actively studied
processes of the Oligodendrocytes
Each process wraps around the axon of a CNS neuron many times, “sheathing” the axon in myelin
compacted layers of cell membrane rich in sphingolipids that have very little cytosol
Myelin sheath
Function of myelin:
- 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
Roughly _____ as many oligodendrocytes as neurons in the CNS
twice
Microglial cells are small-bodied glial cells that:
- 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
_________ cells are derived from blood-borne immune cells
(monocytes) that migrate into the CNS
Microglial cells
what glial cell is roughly as numerous as neurons in the CNS
microglial cells
the CF fluid is Around the periphery of the brain
in the ____________ space and central canal of the spinal
cord
subarachnoid and central canal of the spinal
cord
The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid – roughly ______ total
150 mL
CSF is a specialized fluid formed from the _______ plexus – a complex of capillaries and epithelial cells
choroid
Mostly located in the lateral ventricles
CSF production & circulation: Produced in the floor of the
__________ by the choroid plexus
lateral ventricle
CSF moves from the lateral ventricles -> __ ventricle -> ___ ventricle
3rd to 4th
CSF Circulates into the subarachnoid space and down the spinal cord. Eventually absorbed by specialized structures known as _________ granulations
arachnoid
- Transport CSF fluid into venous structures
what drives the movement of CSF
Ependymal cells that line the ventricles are
ciliated – movement of cilia drives the
movement of CSF