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Foundations in Neuroscience > Structure of the Nervous System > Flashcards

Structure of the Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

By what characteristics can we group neurons?

A 
Shape
Electrical Activity
Gene Expression Profile
Neurotransmitter
Connectivity
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2
Q

What processes do synaptic number and strength underlie?

A

Processing sensory information
Motor circuits
Memory formation
Synaptic plasticity

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3
Q

What are the components of the tripartite synapse?

A

Presynaptic terminal nerve
Post synaptic spine
Glial cell

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4
Q

What are the various roles of glia in the synapse?

A

Regulate neurotransmitter recycling
Releasing gliotransmitters
Ensheath synapses
Altering synapse number (microglia pruning)

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5
Q

What is the function and location of Satellite Cells?

A

PNS
Surround cell bodies in ganglia
Regulate O2, CO2, nutrients and neurotransmitter levels around neuron

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6
Q

What is the function and location of Schwann Cells?

A

PNS
Surround axons in PNS
Responsible for myelination of peripheral neurons

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7
Q

What is the function and location of Oligodendrocytes?

A

CNS
Myelinate CNS axons
Provide structural framework

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8
Q

What is the function and location of Microglia?

A

CNS

Remove all cell debris, wastes and pathogens by phagocytosis

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9
Q

What is the function and location of Astrocytes?

A

CNS
Maintain BBB
Provide structural support]
Regulate ion, nutrient and dissolved gas concentrations

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10
Q

What is the function and location of Ependymal Cells?

A

CNS
Line brain ventricles and spinal cord central canal
Assist in producing, circulating and monitoring of CSF

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11
Q

What are the three main stages of neurodevelopment?

A

Reading the instructions - genome level control
Identifying the components - differentiation and specification of neurons
Connecting the pieces - formation of neural circuits by axon guidance and neuronal migration

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12
Q

What are the three layers of the neural plate? What do they ultimately become?

A

Endoderm - becomes viscera
Mesoderm - becomes skeleton and muscle
Exoderm - becomes nervous system and skin

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13
Q

Describe the stages of neural tube formation.

A
  1. Neural plate forms a furrow at medial hinge point
  2. Creates neural folds and neural groove
  3. Epithelium delaminate - neural folds contact and fuse to become neural tube
  4. Cell differentiation produce neural crest cells that lie lateral to neural tube
  5. Entire CNS develops from neural tube
  6. Entire PNS develops from neural crest
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14
Q

Describe the outcomes of neural crest migration.

A
  1. Neural crest develops closely with mesoderm
  2. Mesoderm forms bulges either side of neural tube called somites (where spinal column and skeletal muscle develop from)
  3. NC cells migrate to form various structures - PNS (e.g. dorsal root ganglia), melanocytes, chondrocytes and smooth muscle
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15
Q

What is the name of the physical segments of the brain stem?

A

Rhombomeres

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16
Q

Which gene determines the specification of the anteroposterior axis?

A

Hox gene expression

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17
Q

Which morphogen determines the specification of the dorsoventral axis?

A

Sonic hedgehog

18
Q

Where is Shh secreted from?

A

The notochord

19
Q

What does low Shh induce?

A

Dorsal interneurons

20
Q

What does high Shh induce?

A

Ventral motor neurons

21
Q

What structure is responsible for axon guidance?

A

Growth cone

22
Q

What are the two behaviours that rely upon midline crossing?

A

Locomotion

Coordination of sensory information

23
Q

What process do Robo and Slit control?

A

Midline crossing

24
Q

What ligand binds to Robo? Is it a positive or negative guidance cue?

A

Slit - chemorepellant

25
Q

What would be observed in a Robo mutant?

A

Repeated crossing of the midline

Insensitive to Slit

26
Q

What would be observed in a Slit mutant?

A

Axons collapse to midline - only respond to attractive signals, no repulsion keeping them away

27
Q

Which direction do axons expressing high Robo grow?

A

Longitudinally - repelled by Slit

28
Q

Which direction do axons expressing low Robo grow?

A

Attracted to and cross midline

29
Q

What happens after axons cross the midline?

A

Upregulate Robo and remain on contralateral side

30
Q

What process do Neuropilin and Semaphorin control?

A

Peripheral axon projection

31
Q

What is repelled by the Semaphorin ligand?

A

Dorsal root ganglia

32
Q

What ligands bind NRP1 and NRP2?

A

NRP1 - SEMA 3A

NRP2 - SEMA 3F

33
Q

What is expressed in complementary gradients in the retina and tectum?
What is this an example of?

A

EPh receptors and ephrin ligands

Topographic mapping in the nervous system

34
Q

Where are axons from the temporal retina directed?

A

Anterior tectum

35
Q

Where are axons from the nasal retinal directed?

A

Posterior tectum

36
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of phase contrast microscopy?

A

Adv - requires low illumination, no labelling, cheap

Dis - unable to automate image analysis, can only distinguish between high contrast structures

37
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of fluorescent wide field microscopy?

A

Adv - better discrimination and temporal resolution than phase contrast
Dis - requires high illumination, limited depth of information

38
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of confocal fluorescent microscopy?

A

Adv - 3D image, higher discrimination than wide field, allows image analysis, can be done in living cell
Dis - expensive, high illumination and long acquisition time

39
Q

Why are mouse models used in neuroscience research?

A

Their cortex forms similar layers to ours - allows translation of findings related to higher brain function

40
Q

Why are frogs used in neuroscience research?

A

Useful for studying neurodevelopment - easy to visualise brain stem and early projections

41
Q

Why are flies used in neuroscience research?

A

Many common neurotransmitters with humans

Used to model human diseases

42
Q

Why are chick embryos used in neuroscience research?

A

Doesn’t require a license - considered ethical
Minimal husbandry costs
Good model for early neurodevelopment - highly conserved
Good model for visual system - large eyes

Foundations in Neuroscience (6 decks)

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