Unit IX (46-49) - The Nervous System - General Principles Flashcards
What are the two major types of synapses?
Chemical
Electrical
Guyton Ch. 46
What are the two components of postsynaptic receptor proteins
Binding component Ionophore component (ion channel and second messenger activator)
Guyton Ch. 46
What is the initial step for excitation of the postsynaptic membrane?
Opening of Na channels
What event inhibits the postsynaptic membrane?
Opening of Cl channels
Where and how is acetylcholine synthesized?
in presynaptic terminal
- acetyl coenzyme A + choline (mediated by choline acetyltransferase)
- stored in vesicles
- released in the synaptic cleft
- quickly split by cholinesterase
- choline is transported back into the terminal to make more acetylcholine
Which of the following electrolytes is lowest extracellularly?
A. Cl
B. Na
C. K
C.
What is the difference between Type A and Type C nerve fibers?
Type A - large/medium sized myelinated fibers
Type C - small unmyelinated fibers (all postganglionic autonomic fibers) - conducts impulse at low velocities
What are two mechanisms to prevent nervous tissue overactivity?
inhibitory circuits - (like a negative feedback loop)
synaptic fatigue - synaptic transmission becomes weaker after prolonged and intense excitation
What type of fibers are associated with fast pain?
Adelta fibers
What type of fibers are associated with slow pain?
C fibers
Which of the following neurotransmitters is usually associated with fast pain in the neospinothalamic tract? A. Glutamate B. Substance P C. Acetylcholine D. GABA
A. glutamate - fast pain (Ad fibers)
Substance P is likely associated with slow pain in the paleospinothalamic tract
Which of the following neurotransmitters is usually associated with slow pain in the paleospinothalamic tract? A. Glutamate B. Substance P C. Acetylcholine D. GABA
B. substance P - slow pain (C fibers)
What are the different types of neurons involved in function of the spinal cord?
interneurons (in gray matter)
anterior motor neurons
- alpha (innervate large skeletal muscle fibers)
- gamma (innervate small special skeletal m. fibers)
What are the two types of muscle spindle intrafusal fibers?
- nuclear bag muscle fibers
- nuclear chain fibers
Primary sensory nerve ending is excited by both but secondary nerve endings are only excited by nuclear chain fibers.
What is a mass reflex?
massive discharge in large portions of the spinal cord
can be stimulated by: strong pain stimulus to skin or excessive filling of the gut or bladder
what is spinal shock?
when the spinal cord is suddenly transected essentially all for function (including cord reflexes) immediately become depressed.
should return to normal ~a couple to 24 hrs
arterial BP falls due to decreased sympathetic stimulation
stretch reflexes - first to return followed by flexor reflexes and postural antigravity reflexes
Explain the pyramidal (corticospinal) tract and its function
leave the cortex
through the brainstem - forming the pyramids of the medulla
majority of fibers cross to the opposite side
descend into lateral corticospinal tracts
terminate on interneurons in intermediate regions of gray matter.
Very few fibers do not cross to the opposite side
ipsilaterally in ventral corticospinal tracts