Topic 2: Physiology of Nerve Cells and Synaptic Transmission

Question 1

The ___ is what receives and sends information within the body.
It communicates and controls the rest of the body.

Answer 1

nervous system

Question 2

The nervous system works with the ____ to regulate and maintain homeostasis.

Answer 2

endocrine system

Question 3

The nervous system communicates by means of ___ signals.

Answer 3

electrical

Question 4

The nervous system is composed of the ff: (4)

Answer 4

1. brain
2. spinal cord
3. nerves
4. ganglia

Question 5

Information Processing (4)

Answer 5

1. Sensor - Sensory Input
2. Central Nervous System (CNS) - Integration
3. Peripheral NS - Motor Output
4. Effector

Question 6

Neuroglia in CNS (4)

Answer 6

1. Microglia
2. Oligodendrocytes
3. Astrocytes
4. Ependymal Cells

Question 7

___ are scavengercells that resemble tissue macrophages and remove debris resulting from injury, infection, and disease.

Answer 7

microglia

Question 8

___ resemble stars. Their threadlike branches attach to neurons and to small blood vessels holding both structures together.

Answer 8

astrocytes

Question 9

An astrocyte branches form a two-layer structure called the ____.

Answer 9

blood brain barrier (BBB)

Question 10

___ separates blood tissue and nervous
tissue. It protects the brain from harmful
chemicals that might be found in the
blood.

Answer 10

blood brain barrier (BBB)

Question 11

___ are smaller than astrocytes. They remain stationary until brain tissue becomes injured. They act as microbe scavengers in the brain via phagocytosis.

Answer 11

microglia

Question 12

Neuroglia in PNS (2)

Answer 12

1. Schwann Cells (neurolemmocytes, myelinate neurons)
2. Satellite Cells (regulate the chemical environment)

Question 13

The ___ and ____ form the myelin sheath around the axon. (2)

Answer 13

1. Oligodendrocytes
2. Scwhann Cells

Question 14

An autoimmune disease possibly triggered by a virus in genetically susceptible individuals. It is when oligodendrocytes and myelin sheaths of CNS deteriorate and are replaced by hardened scar tissues. The nerve fibers are severed. It occurs especially between 20-40 years of age.

Answer 14

Multiple Sclerosis

Question 15

Common symptoms of multiple sclerosis: (4)

Answer 15

1. visual problems
2. muscle weakness
3. clumsiness
4. eventual paralysis

Question 16

Normal conduction of action potentials relies on the ____ of myelin. Thus, defects in myelin can have major adverse neurological consequences.

Answer 16

insulating properties

Question 17

____ is a hereditary disorder seen mainly in infants of Eastern European-Jewish ancestry. It is caused by an abnormal accumulation of a certain glycolipid (GM2) in the myelin sheath. As it accumulates, it disrupts the conduction of signals.

Answer 17

Tay-Sachs Disease

Question 18

Tay-Sachs disease can result to ____ (3)
These symptoms appear before 1 year of age and death by 3 or 4.

Answer 18

1. blindness
2. loss of coordination
3. dementia

Question 19

Cellular Components of the Nervous System: (2)

Answer 19

1. Supporting Cells (Glial Cells)
2. Neurons (Nerve Cells)

Question 20

____ are the fundamental units of the nervous system specialized to transmit information to different parts of the body.

Answer 20

neurons

Question 21

Some special characteristics of neurons: (3)

Answer 21

1. extreme longevity
2. amitotic
3. exceptionally high metabolic rate and require continuous and an abundant supply of oxygen and glucose

Question 22

Elements of Basic Life Support: (5)

Answer 22

0-1 minute, cardiac irritability
0-4 minutes, brain damage NOT likely
4-6 minutes, brain damage POSSIBLE
6-10 minutes, brain damage VERY likely
above 10 minutes, IRREVERSIBLE brain damage

Question 23

The ___ is the main metabolic and genetic center of the neuron. It is the region in which the neuron receives synaptic input from other neurons.

Answer 23

cell body

Question 24

___ are the main recipients of signals from other neurons. They may account for more than 90% of the surface area available for synaptic contact.

Answer 24

dendrites

Question 25

____ conveys the output of the cell to other neurons.

Answer 25

axon

Question 26

Three functional components of neurons: (3)

Answer 26

1. Input Region
2. Conducting Component
3. Secretory

Question 27

Sensory neurons always release neurotransmitter that excites ____ neurons.

Answer 27

postsynaptic

Question 28

Some interneurons excite/inhibit postsynaptic neuron: (2)

Answer 28

1. Excitatory Neurotransmitters
2. Inhibitory Neurotransmitters

Question 29

___ are neurotransmitters that increase postsynaptic membrane permeability to Na+. They allow the threshold to be reached for a message to be sent.

Answer 29

excitatory neurotransmitters

Question 30

___ are neurotransmitters that decrease permeability to Na+. They decrease the chance that a nerve impulse will occur.

Answer 30

inhibitory neurotransmitters

Question 31

Structural Classification of Neurons: (4)

Answer 31

1. Unipolar Cell
2. Bipolar Cell
3. Pseudo-unipolar Cell
4. Multipolar Cell

Question 32

Functional Classification of Neurons: (3)

Answer 32

1. Sensory Neurons
2. Interneurons
3. Motor Neurons

Question 33

___ are neurons that carry impulses from the sense organs to the brain and spinal cord (CNS).

Answer 33

sensory neurons

Question 34

___ are neurons that connect sensory and motor neurons and carry impulses between them.

Answer 34

interneurons

Question 35

____ are neurons that convey impulses (motor output) from the CNS to the effector cells (muscles and glands).

Answer 35

motor neurons

Question 36

True or False

Neurons are highly irritable.

Answer 36

True

Question 37

Plasma membranes are peppered with a variety of ion channels: (2)

Answer 37

1. Passive or Leakage Channels (always open)
2. Active or Gated Channels: (2)
   - Chemically Gated Channels
   - Voltage Gated Channels