the somatosensory system -sensory neurones (lecture) Flashcards
role of dendrites?
-receive inputs from other neurons and convey graded electrical signals and passively to the soma
describe the role of the cell body (soma) and what it contains?
-it is the synthetic and metabolic centre of the neuron
-it contains the nucleus, ribosomes, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum
-it integrates electrical signals that are conducted passively to the axon hillock
describe the roll of the axon hillock and initial segment?
-site of initiation
-‘all or none’ action potential
role of the axon?
-conducts output signals as action potentials to the presynaptic terminal
-it mediated the transport of materials between the soma and presynaptic terminal (anterograde direction) and vice versa (retrograde direction)
Anterograde= when signals are going towards the axon tip
Retrograde= when signals are going towards the soma
role of the synapse?
-the point of chemical communication between neurons (or other cells)
clinical importance of retrograde transport (transport toward the cell body/soma)?
-several viruses (e.g. herpes, polio, rabies) exploit retrograde transport to infect neurons
what type of neuron is this?
unipolar (sensory neurons in PNS)
what type of neuron is this?
pseudounipolar (dorsal root ganglion and PNS are part of this)
what type of neuron is this?
bipolar (retinal bipolar neurons)
what type of neuron is this?
multipolar (lower motor neuron and motor neurons in PNS are part of this)
what are the 4 functional regions of a neuron?
input- where stimulus is received
integrative- the soma or the axon hillock where all of the signals are integrated
conductile- the length of the axon where the signal is conducted
output- where the neurotransmitter release is
what sensory modalities does the somatosensory system mediate?
-fine discrimatory touch (light touch, pressure, vibration, flutter and stretch)
-joint and muscle position sense (proprioception)
-temperature (thermosensation)
-pain (nociception)
-itch (pruriception)
where is the cell body of the PNS located?
-in the dorsal root ganglia (innervation of limbs, trunk and posterior head)
OR
-cranial ganglia (innervation of anterior head)
what does the somatosensory pathway most often comprise of?
three neurons in series
1st order neuron= PNS
2nd/3rd order neurons= CNS
somatosensory cortex= CNS
describe the physiology behind how neuron terminals (first order neurones) in the somatosensory system transduce a stimulus into electrical activity
-sensory neurons terminals transduce a stimulus into electrical activity
-stimulus (mechanical, thermal or chemical) opens cation selective ion channels in peripheral terminal of primary sensory afferent eliciting a depolarizing receptor potential
-amplitude of receptor potential is graded and proportional to stimulus intensity
-a supra threshold receptor potential triggers ‘all or none’ action potentials, conducted by the axon at a frequency proportional to the amplitude
-action potentials arriving at the central terminal cause the graded release of neurotransmitter on to second order neurons