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Neurophysiology Flashcards

1
Q

Neuron

A

Excitable cells with specialised projections which transmit info around the body by electrochemical transmission

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2
Q

Dendrites

A

Bring info to cell body

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3
Q

Axons

A

Take info away from cell body

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4
Q

Myelin sheath

A

Lipid covering most axons, produced by Schwann cells (membrane = regular intervals)

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5
Q

Node of Ranvier

A

gaps in myelin sheath

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6
Q

Interneurons

A

Spinal cord + brain, signals from sensory neutrons or other interneurons

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7
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Run to spinal cord and brain from stimuli receptors (cell bodies in clusters at spinal cord => ganglia)

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8
Q

Motor neurons

A

Impulses from CNS to effectors (muscles and glands)

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9
Q

Spinal cord

A

31 pairs of spinal nerves - both sensory and motor axons -
All sensory axons -> dorsal root ganglion -> spinal cord
All motor axons -> ventral root -> sensory axons -> mixed nerves

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10
Q

Resting potential

A

Electrical charge across plasma membrane - interior more negative -> -70mV
Sodium/potassium ATPase pump pushes 2K+ in for every 3Na+ out -> net loss of +ve charge within cell
K+ leaky channels so slow facilitated diffusion of K+ out

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11
Q

Depolarisation

A

Reduce charge across membrane . Mechanically gated sodium channels open -> ligand-gated Na+ channels open -> excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) -> reduced to threshold violates (~-50mV) -> action potential (nerve impulse). Na+ close and K+ open out -> normal polarity. All or none. Strength = frequency

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12
Q

In myelinated areas…

A

Action potential jumps form node to node (myelin = insulator) by saltatory conduction which speeds up the propagation of the action potential

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13
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Controls smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, glands and some adipose tissue

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14
Q

Sympathetic nerovous system

A

Fight or flight response

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15
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Everyday responses

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16
Q

Neuromuscular junction

A 
The synapse between a somatic motor neuron and skeletal muscle fibre
Arrival of AP
Depolarisation of presynaptic membrane
Voltage-Gated Ca2+ channels open
Influx of Ca2+ ions
Vesicles fuse presynaptic membrane
Release of Ach 
Diffusion to postsynaptic receptors (ligand-gated Na+ channels)
Activation of postsynaptic receptors
Generation of end-plate potential (EPP)
Transmitted intact - Achesterare
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17
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical signal released by a neurone that influences the neurones largest cell -> amino acids (GABA), amines (Acetylcholine), peptides, others (adenosine, ATP)

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18
Q

Synaptic plasticity

A

Can change functionally or structurally
Molecular and structural changes at synapse -> learning and memory deficits e.g. memory encoding -> storage -> retrieval
Training = gain of function

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19
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: all body systems

A

And hormones (endocrine) = communication and regulation of body tissues

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20
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: integumentary system

A

Sympathetic nerves ANS - control os SM to hair follicles and secretion of perspiration from sweat glands

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21
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: skeletal system

A

Pain receptors in bone tissue -> brain trauma and damage

22
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: muscular system

A

Somatic motor neutrons - contract SM - body moves basal ganglia and reticular system = muscle tone, cerebellum co-ords skilled movement

23
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: endocrine system

A

Hypothalamus regulates secretion of hormones from pituitary gland, ANS from adrenal gland and pancreas

24
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: CV System

A

Medulla oblongata -> nerve impulses ANS => heart rate. ANS regulates bp and blood flow through vessels

25
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: Lymphatic system and immunity

A

NTs regulate immune respones - increase and decrease

26
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: respiratory system

A

Brain stem controls rate and depth. ANS airways diameter

27
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: digestive system

A

ANS and enteric NS regulate, parasympathetic ANS stimulates process

28
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: urinary system

A

ANS blood flow in kidneys -> urine formation

29
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: Reproductive system

A

Hypothalamus and limbic system - sexual behaviour, NAS - erection and ejaculaton. Hypothalamus - hormones controlling gonads. Touch stimuli suckling infant - oxytocin and milk ejection

30
Q

Sclera

A

Outermost layer of the eye - posterior proportion (5/6 eye) (anterior = cornea)

31
Q

Episclera

A

Sclera: outermost layer, contacts eye socket, loose CT

32
Q

Sclera proper

A

Sclera: middle layer, collages, tendons, attach to Tenan’s capsule

33
Q

Lamina fuscula

A

Sclera: Inner layer, adjacent to choroid, collagen and elastin, pigmented cells

34
Q

Uvea: choroid

A

Largest

Blood vessels, Bruch’s membrane - supports retinal pigmented epithelia

35
Q

Uvea: ciliary body

A

Projections close to lens producing aqueous humour

36
Q

Uvea: iris

A

Covers lens and regulates light -> retina and protects from sunlight

37
Q

Tear film

A

Provides nutrients to cornea, contains antibacterial agents and provides a clear optical surface
Outer, oily layer - tears don’t evaporate quickly, prevents dryness
Middle aqueous layer nourishing cornea and conjunctiva
Bottom mucin layer

38
Q

Aqueous humour

A

Maintains intracellular pressure, contributes to ocular transparent, provides metabolic support for lens, cornea and vitreous
Similar to plasma body but only 1% plasma protein

39
Q

Itra-ocular pressure (IOP)

A

10-21 mmHg, dynamic balance of secretion and draining of aqueous humour
High = glaucoma - loss of visual light field => blindness

40
Q

Eye lens

A

Oldest cells and proteins in the body - fully formed at week 4-5
Avascular tissue - low O2 tension, 8mm diameter, central cells, no organelles
Refract light, low light scatter, all life
Disease: age related, environment, diabetes, drugs

41
Q

Avascular tissue facilitates image focus

A

Lens capsule - BM -> homogenous translucen CT matrix - glycoprotein
Subcapsular epithelium - single layer of cuboidal cells
Lens fibres - elongated cells from near lens equator
Cells grow - optical axis, lose many organelles
at optical acs - hexagonal and pack tightly - highly organised
Few organelles - high in proteins (60-70%) - major protein = cystallins which increases refractive index of cytosol

42
Q

Accommodation of lens

A

Thinner focussing distance - relaxed ciliary muscles

Presbyopia - with age (47+) lens less elastic - muscle contraction and less accomodation

43
Q

Cataract

A

With age, lens fibres less transparent, not sufficient light for clear image - replace with plastic

44
Q

Human retina

A

Transparent, at least 11 layers, converts light energy -> nervous impulses - signal transduction, photoreceptors, 120 million rods, 6 million cones, muller glia, retinal pigmented epithelia
0.5mm thick
Photoreceptors outermost pigment against epithelium and choroid
Absorption of photons by visual pigment of photoreceptors -> biochemical message -> electrical message -> neurons of retina
3 layers of nerve cell bodies
2 layers of synapses
Outer nuclear layer - cell bodies of rods and cones
Inner nuclear layer - cell bodies of bipolar, horizontal, amacrine cells
Ganglion cell layer - cell bodies of ganglion and displaces amacrine cells
Dividing nerve cell layers - 2 neuropils -> synaptic contacts occur over 1m fibres - only myelinated after leaving eye

45
Q

Photoreceptors

A

Outer segment - stacks of membranes with visual pigment molecules
Inner segment - mitochondria, ribosomes and membranes where opsin molecules assemble
Cell body - nucleus
Synaptic terminal - neurotransmission - 2nd order neurons

46
Q

Rod cells

A

Rhodopsin
Sensitive to blue/green light -> 500nm peak, highly sensitive -> dark/dim conditions - monochromatic
Thiner
Peripheral retina

47
Q

Cone cells

A 
Cone opsin
3 types: 
1 - max sensitive to either long wavelength of light (red)
2 - medium wavelength (green)
3 - short (blue)
Colour perception
Thicker
At fovea
48
Q

Muller cells

A

Guide light to rods and cones - tram lines and putative stem cells

49
Q

Retinal pigmented epithelium cells

A

Prevent retinal degradation - consume damaged cells e.g. UV damage - no knock on effects like phagocytosis. Cell barrier

50
Q

Optic nerve

A

Centre of retina - circular, oval white area 2x1.5mm -> major blood vessel
Ganglion cell axons - brain and incoming vessels
Innermost retina closest to lens

51
Q

Fovea

A

Centre of macula, only cones

52
Q

Optic disc

A

Entry of optic nerve into eye = blind spot - no photoreceptors, only axons

Physiology (9 decks)

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