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Physiology > The Neuron and the Synapse > Flashcards

The Neuron and the Synapse Flashcards

1
Q

What are the divisions of the CNS

A

spinal cord and brain

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2
Q

What are the divisions of the PNS

A

somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

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3
Q

Somatic Nervous System

A

voluntary controls

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4
Q

What are the divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

A

sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

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5
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System

A

fight or flight

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6
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A

rest and digest

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7
Q

Parts of the Brain

A

forebrain, cerebellum, brain stem

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8
Q

Forebrain

A

higher function, contains thalamus and hypothalamus

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9
Q

Cerebellum

A

fine motor movements

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10
Q

Brain Stem

A

extension of the spinal cord

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11
Q

Parts of the brain stem

A

pons, medulla oblongata, midbrain

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12
Q

Afferent

A

sensory info into CNS

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13
Q

Efferent

A

motor- exits CNS

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14
Q

Somatic (afferent)

A

from skin, retina, and membranous labyrinth

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15
Q

Visceral (afferent)

A

from thoracic and abdominal organs, olfactory epithelium, and taste buds

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16
Q

Somatic (efferent)

A

to skeletal muscle; voluntary control

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17
Q

Visceral (efferent)

A

to cardiac and smooth muscle and glands

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18
Q

Information Flow in a Neuron

A
  1. dendrites
  2. soma
  3. axon
  4. pre-synaptic terminal
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19
Q

Dendrites

A

branch-like extensions from the soma. Receive signals from other neurons. Multiple inputs to a single neuron. Electrical signals summate at the soma

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20
Q

Soma Components

A

nucleus, ribosomes, rER, Golgi

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21
Q

Axon

A

signal from initial segment to pre-synaptic terminal. Bi-direction

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22
Q

What is the charge on the interior of the neuron?

A

negative

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23
Q

Na K Pump

A

3 Na out, 2 K in

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24
Q

Depolarized

A

more positive than resting membrane potential. Inward flow of positive charge

25
Q

Hyperpolarized

A

more negative than resting membrane potential, outward flow of positive charge or inward flow of (-) ions

26
Q

Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potential

A

resting membrane potential more positive. Closer to reaching action potential. Usual influx of Na

27
Q

Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potential

A

resting membrane potential more negative. less likely for an action potential. Cl influx or K effux

28
Q

Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potential

A

resting membrane potential more negative. less likely for an action potential. Cl influx or K effux

29
Q

Summation

A

single discharge of presynaptic terminal onto dendrite does not initiate action potential. Requires Summation: spatial summation and temporal summation

30
Q

Action Potential

A

Initiation of AP when stimulus reaches threshold. Fixed in amplitude, uniform shape, not graded. A regenerative signal that begins at an axon’s initial segment and rapidly spreads down axon

31
Q

Stages of Action Potential

A
  1. Resting Stage
  2. Depolarization Stage
  3. Repolarization Stage
32
Q

Resting Stage

A

cell is polarized- negative inside cell

33
Q

Depolarization Stage

A

depolarization above threshold triggers all or nothing response. Opening of voltage-gated ion channels

34
Q

Repolarization Stage

A

Na channels close and voltage-gated K channels open. Rapid diffusion of K out of cell

35
Q

Axonal Conduction

A

axons carry electrical signals rapidly, efficiently, and reliably.

36
Q

How to increase conduction speed

A

larger diameter, myelination

37
Q

Saltatory Conduction

A

Jumping from Node of Ranvier to Node of Ranvier

38
Q

Node or Ranvier

A

junction between Schwann cells. There is increased density of Na channels at nodes. Actions potential occurs at nodes

39
Q

What happens between the nodes of Ranvier?

A

ions flow in and out

40
Q

Types of Synapse

A

chemical and electrical

41
Q

Chemical Synapse

A

majority in CNS and at NMJ. Release of neurotransmitters. Propagate current from presynaptic cell to postsynaptic cell

42
Q

Electrical Synapse

A

smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Self-propagating.

43
Q

Basic Process of Transmission

A
  1. NT packages into synaptic vesicles
  2. AP arrives at presynaptic terminal
  3. Opening of voltage-gated ion channels
  4. Fusion of vesicles with membrane and release of NT
  5. NT diffuses across synapse and binds receptor
  6. Activation of postsynaptic cell
44
Q

Neurotransmitter Release

A
  1. Presynaptic membrane contains voltage-gated Ca channels
  2. AP at presynaptic terminal causes Ca channels to open
  3. Ca facilitates fusion of synaptic vesicles with membrane
  4. NT binds to receptor on postsynaptic cell
45
Q

Consequences of NT Binding

A

Excitation, Inhibition

46
Q

Excitation

A

Opening of Na channels. Decreased diffusion of Cl into cell of K out of cell. Changes in internal metabolism

47
Q

Inhibition

A

Opening of Cl channels, increased diffusion of K out of cell. Enzymes that inhibit cellular metabolism.

48
Q

Innervation of Muscle

A

one nerve can innervate several muscle fibers. Each muscle cell can only have 1 neuron. Transmission from nerve to muscle

49
Q

What is the excitatory neurotransmitter at the NMJ?

A

acetylcholine

50
Q

Post Synaptic Membrane

A

Junctional folds or subneural clefts. Increase surface area

51
Q

Breakdown of Acetylcholine

A
  1. made of choline and acetyl CoA
  2. In the synapse acetylcholine is rapidly broken down by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase
  3. choline is transported back into the axon terminal and used to make more acetylcholine
52
Q

Consequence at Nerve-Nerve Junction

A

May be excitatory or inhibitory. Uses a variety of neurotransmitters. Can be bi-directional transmission. Variety of receptor types. AP often have to summate for post-synaptic AP. Relies on Ca influx for neurotransmitter release

53
Q

Consequence at NMJ

A

NMJ produces excitation. Uses acetylcholine. One-way signal transduction
Nicotinic Receptor. AP leads to muscle contraction. Relies on Ca influx for neurotransmitter release.

54
Q

What is the only similarity between nerve-nerve junction and NMJ?

A

both rely on Ca influx for neurotransmitter release

55
Q

Myasthenia Gravis

A

auto-antibody binds to acetylcholine receptors inhibiting muscle activation, leading to weakness and paralysis. To treat, inhibit acetylcholinesterase so there is more acetylcholine available

56
Q

Tick Paralysis

A

toxin binds to Ca receptors, preventing the release of acetylcholine. Open Ca channels by removing tick or give preventatives

57
Q

Snake Envenomation

A

toxin binds to acetylcholine receptors. Acute quadriplegia, absent reflexes, muscle tremors

58
Q

Organophosphate Toxicity

A

Irreversibly bind acetylcholinesterases. Causes excessive acetylcholine (nicotinic crisis), muscarinic crisis (excessive parasympathetic). Treatment: supportive care

59
Q

Characteristics of Nerve-Nerve Junction

A
  1. Influx of Calcium
  2. Requires Summation
  3. Can be excitatory or Inhibitory
  4. Multiple neurotransmitters
  5. Multiple receptors
  6. Can be bi-directional

Physiology (16 decks)

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