Week 2 Terms

Question 1

What are 2 Direct Ways that Astrocytes can affect behaviour?

Answer 1

1) Gliotransmission - the ability to release neurotransmitters
2) the ability to form astroctycic networks

Question 2

What is the Tripartite Synapse?

Answer 2

It refers to the integration and physical proximity of presynaptic, postsynaptic, and association with astrocyte

Question 3

What are some examples of Calcium dependent gliotransmitters?

Answer 3

• Glutamate
• GABA
• ATP & adenosine
• D-serine

Question 4

What is gliotransmission?

Answer 4

• refers to chemical release that facililates neuronal communication between neurons & other glial cells
• usually induced by Ca2+ signalling

Question 5

Describe the structure and function of the Astrocytic Network:

Answer 5

• They are coupled by Gap junctions allowing passage of ions & molecules (allows for direct communication)
• selectively permeable
• allow for Calcium rise to spread to neighboring astrocytes + glial transmission

Question 6

What are the 2 Main Characteristics of Stem Cells?

Answer 6

1) They can self-renew

2) They can differenciate

Question 7

Approximately how many new neurons are created in the adult mammal daily?

Answer 7

700 neurons

Question 8

What is the location of Adult Neurogensis in the Mammalian brain?

Answer 8

In 2 Locations of the Hippocampus:

1) Subventricular zone (SVZ) of lateral ventricles(LV)
2) Subgranular zone (SGZ) of dentate gyrus (DG)

Question 9

Explain what iPSCs are and how they are made:

Answer 9

• Sperm fertilizes Oocyte >Morula >Blastocyst (first stage in development you can see 2 distinct separation of cells)
• Inner cell mass cells of Blastocyst are pluripotent
• Pluripotent= can generate all different cell types.
• Ephemeral = They only have this property for a few days.

Question 10

Who discovered the transcription factors needed to create pluripotent cells?

Answer 10

Takahashi & Yamanaka (2006)

Question 11

What are the 4 Yamanaka factors and why are they important?

Answer 11

4 Factors:

1) Sox2
2) Oct3
3) Klf4
4) c-Myc

All 4 are needed to generate pluripotent cells