Week 1 Neuro Fundamentals of the Nervous System

Question 1

What are the names for these parts of a neuron?

Answer 1

Question 2

What are the two types of cells that form myelin in the CNS and PNS respectively?

Answer 2

Question 3

What are the five glia?

Answer 3

Question 4

Functions of microglia?

Answer 4

Phagocytosis of damaged cells

Comunication with astrocytes to coodininate response

Regulation of development of other CNS cells

Synaptic pruning

Question 5

What neurological disease is ascociated with dissfunctional microglia?

Answer 5

Schizophrenia

Question 6

3 Functions of astrocytes

Answer 6

Question 7

Roll of ependymal cells

Answer 7

Production, circulation and reabsorption of CSF

Question 8

What might you be looking for in a lumber puncture that indicates MS?

Answer 8

Signs of inflamation in the CSF sample due to de-myelination

Question 9

Describe the structure of the blood brain barrier

Answer 9

Question 10

What are three function of the blood-brain barrier?

Answer 10

To let in nutrients

To let in lipophilic chemicals

To prent the entry of environmental toxins

Question 11

What is the resting potential?

Answer 11

-70mV

Question 12

What is the threshold potential?

Answer 12

-55mV

Question 13

What happens when the sodium channels open?

Answer 13

Depolarisation

Question 14

What happens when the potassium channels open?

Answer 14

Repolarisation

Question 15

What is saltatory conduction?

Answer 15

This is the effect where signals are propagated by jumping to each node of ranvier through myelination.

Myelin is insulateing therefore a change in current is felt further down and without every single cell having to depolarise

Question 16

When myelinating why bother with nodes of ranvier at all? Why not insulate the whole thing?

Answer 16

Because shwann cells likely also play a role in regulation

Question 17

What are the two common diseases charicterised by a loss of myelination and where does this loss occur?

Answer 17

Multiple Sclerosis - CNS

Guillian Barre Syndrome - PNS

Hint: Guillian got barred, she is now on the perifery

Question 18

Describe the process of chemical transmission at a synapse thinking of vesticles etc.

Answer 18

Question 19

How would an ion channel with receptors for an inhibitory neurotransmitter affect the membrane potential in the postsynaptic dendrite?

Answer 19

It would make the membrane potential more negative

Question 20

How would an ion channel with receptors for an excitatory neurotransmitter affect the membrane potential in the postsynaptic dendrite?

Answer 20

It would make the membrane potential more positive

Question 21

How do the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems differ in terms of where they originate?

Answer 21

Sympathetic – thoracic and lumbar regions, also called the thoracolumbar division

Parasympathetic – cranial and sacral regions, also called the cranio-sacral division

Question 22

In the ANS where is acetylcholine used and where is noradrenaline used?

Answer 22

Question 23

Which cranial nerves are part of the pre-ganglionic para-sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 23

Oculomotor nerve (III)
Facial nerve (VII)
Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
Vagus nerve (X)

Question 24

Which sacral nerves are part of the pre-ganglionic parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 24

S2,S3,S4

At 24 you mostly just shit, piss and fuck

Question 25

Which spinal nerves form the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 25

T1-L2

Question 26

Where are the sympathetic ganglia?

Answer 26

The form the sympathetic chain (or trunk) which runs on the outside of the vertebra

Question 27

What structure do the sympathetic pre-ganglionic fibres form?

Answer 27

The lateral grey horn of the spinal chord

Question 28

Where are the various sympathetic receptors located and what do they do

Answer 28

Alpha 1 located most smooth muscle in arterioles causing vasoconstriction Alpha 2 located on coronary arteries causing vasodilatation Beta 1 located on cardiac muscle causing increased contractility Beta 2 smooth muscle of bronchi causing bronchodilation Some functions are missing but these are the most important ones

Question 29

Functionality wise What is the main difference between adrenaline and noradrenaline?

Answer 29

Noradrenaline is used as a post-ganglionic sympathetic neruotransmiter and induces sympathetic responses directly by the SNS which act locally. Adrenaline is released by the adrenal medulla of the adrenal gland when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system. This enters the blood and further induces systemic sympathetic responses.

Question 30

What are the main manifestations of autonomic nerve disease?

Answer 30

Fainting Vasovagal syncope: simple faint. This is where you get sudden vasoconstriction following strong emotion but the heart rate fails to increase to equalise pressure resulting in hypotension and fainting. Orthostatic hypotension: same as Vasovagal syncope but when people sit up or stand up suddenly

Question 31

Test for abnormality of ANS

Answer 31

Pupil reactions Postural blood pressure response. By bedside -a fall >30mmhg systolic and >15mmhg diastolic is abnormal. Variation of HR with deep breathing (sinus arrhythmia). Lacrimal function

Question 32

Which cranial nerves are have parasympathetic function?

Answer 32

III,VII,IX,X Memonic: 1973 1(0)973 III - occularmotor, pupil contraction VII - facial specifically the opthalmic branch, lacrimation IX - glossopharyngeal, salivation X - vagus, bare parasympathetic shit

Question 33

When it goes to penile function which is a parasympathetic and which is a sympathetic function?

Answer 33

Erection - Parasympathetic Ejaculation - Sympathetic Hint: Point (p for parasympathetic) and Shoot (s for sympathetic)

Question 34

What are Arachnoid granulations?

Answer 34

Arachnoid granulations (AGs) are small, lymphatic structures that drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain into the venous sinuses

Question 35

Upper motor neuron symtoms?

Answer 35

Brisk reflexs Bibinski (upgoing plantars) Hypertonia Pyrimidal weakness (proximal affected first, arm flexors and leg extensors spared, can still build a pyramid)

Question 36

Lower motor neuron symtoms

Answer 36

Loss of reflexs No tone Fasiculations Wasteing