Physio+Patho of Neurons and Glia

Question 1

• Composed of the neuronal cell bodies and dendrites, as well as unmyelinated nerve fibers
• Functions as the regions of the brain where information is processed

Answer 1

Grey matter

Question 2

• Composed of bundles of myelinated axons

Answer 2

white matter

Question 3

what’s so special about neurons?

Answer 3

1. unique morphology
2. communicate with electrical/chemical synapses

Question 4

unique components of neurons

Answer 4

1. dendrites
2. axon

Question 5

electrical communication happens (within/between) neurons, while chemical communication happens (within/between) neurons

Answer 5

1. within
2. between

Question 6

characteristics of electrical synapses (gap junction)

Answer 6

1. faster, but not sustained
2. bidirectional
3. found in lower organisms

Question 7

common pathological characteristics of neurodegen. diseases

Answer 7

1. protein aggregation
2. neuroinflammation
3. neurodegeneration

Question 8

() activate microglia and astrocytes, thus resulting in neuroinflammation

Answer 8

damage signals

Question 9

Excessive exposure to the neurotransmitter, glutamate or overstimulation of its membrane receptors

Answer 9

excitotoxicity

Question 10

• Most proliferative CNS cell
• Differentiate to myelinate axons
  to speed up action potential

Answer 10

oligodendrocytes

Question 11

• Resident CNS immune cells
• key roles in immune surveillance
• Role for normal development of neural circuit
  by pruning away excess synapses and dead neurons

Answer 11

microglia

Question 12

• Metabolic support
• Neuronal heath & maturation
• Control blood flow
• Control synapse development &
  function

Answer 12

astrocytes

Question 13

2 types of mutations that describe the pathological role of neurons and glia

Answer 13

(Toxic) Gain-of-function vs.
(Normal) Loss-of-function