Structure of the nervous system

Question 1

What are neurones? (3)

Answer 1

Basic functional unit
Electrically excitable
Receive, process and transmit information

Question 2

What are glial cells? (1)

Answer 2

Non-neuronal cells

Question 3

Name all orientations and label on diagram

Answer 3

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fopenbooks.lib.msu.edu%2Fneuroscience%2Fchapter%2Fanatomical-terminology%2F&psig=AOvVaw2NFoafs49l6a0S-9RVVIfW&ust=1706812405779000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBMQjRxqFwoTCMDN7-qhiIQDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

Question 4

Name 3 anatomical planes of the brain and label on diagram (3)

Answer 4

Coronal (frontal)
Horizontal (transverse or axial)
Sagittal (medial)
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Ffigure%2FDifferent-planes-of-MRI-brain-image_fig1_312024048&psig=AOvVaw0kDIy4qJ3xSdmaViX0PzP0&ust=1706812567149000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBMQjRxqFwoTCMCP7beiiIQDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

Question 5

Name 3 anatomical planes of the spinal cord and label on diagram (3)

Answer 5

Coronal (frontal)
Horizontal (transverse or axial)
Sagittal (medial)
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Ffigure%2FAnatomy-of-the-spinal-cord-The-three-anatomical-planes-in-a-schematic-drawing-of-the_fig2_276065599&psig=AOvVaw0bk44SjmNTjMndCesaQvqI&ust=1706812622439000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBMQjRxqFwoTCLDWlNKiiIQDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

Question 6

What are grooves and ridges and label on diagram

Answer 6

Grooves - a sulcus, a large sulcus may be called a fissure
Ridges - a gyrus https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSulcus_%2528neuroanatomy%2529&psig=AOvVaw2pJMg-Y7Zt8qqaJ-Ya-fe9&ust=1706813478608000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBMQjRxqFwoTCNicr-qliIQDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

Question 7

Difference between localisation and lateralisation (4)

Answer 7

Localisation - different structures of the brain have different functions e.g. olfaction, memory, vision
Lateralisation - each hemisphere can have different functional specialisations e.g. the lateralisation of language to left hemisphere

Question 8

What is the function of the nucleus in neurones (2)

Answer 8

Contains most of the cells DNA
Site of gene transcription

Question 9

What is the function of the Glogi and ER in neurones (2)

Answer 9

Synthesise, fold and transport proteins

Question 10

What is the structure and function of the cytoskeleton in neurones (2)

Answer 10

Comprises microtubules, neuro filaments, and microfilaments
Dynamic regulation - to change structure and organisation, can carry ‘cargo’ around the cell
Anterograde axonal transport - cytoskeleton filaments can transport vesicles, proteins, mitochondria etc from the soma to the axonal terminal

Question 11

What is the function of the mitochondria in neurones (1)

Answer 11

Site of cellular respiration, producing ATP

Question 12

What is the structure and function of the dendrites in neurones (3)

Answer 12

Primary input zone of the neurone where communication is received from other neurones
Dendritic tree - increases SA of cell body which is further increased by spines
Dynamic regulation of spines - retraction, growth, changing morphology etc

Question 13

What is the function of the axons in neurones (1)

Answer 13

Output zone of the neuron - initiation of an action potential followed by propagation along the axon towards the terminal

Question 14

What is the structure and function of the axonal terminal in neurones (3)

Answer 14

Presynaptic terminal can contact another cell
Mitochondria-dense regions due to ATP demand
Vesicles contain neurotransmitters - released into synaptic cleft

Question 15

What are glial cells?

Answer 15

Cells that modulate neuron function and signalling

Question 16

What are myelinating glial cells called in the CNS and PNS? (2)

Answer 16

CNS - oligodendrocytes
PNS - Schwann Cells

Question 17

What do myelinating glial cells do?

Answer 17

Produce lipid-rich insulation which increases propagation of action potentials - gaps (node of Ranvier) allow saltatory conduction

Question 18

Name two types of supporting glial cells (2)

Answer 18

Astrocytes
Microglial

Question 19

What are astrocytes? (4)

Answer 19

Present in the CNS
Wide range of roles including formation of the tripartite synapse - allows for metabolic support, neurotransmitter recycling, modulation of activity

Question 20

What are microglia?

Answer 20

Residents in macrophages present in the CNS
Varied roles in development, regulation, and maintenance (synaptic pruning)
Primary immune cell of the CNS - scavenger. Release of cytokines and phagocytosis