neuronal signalling in the context of CNS disorders

Question 1

what does the axon do

Answer 1

transmits information between cell body and axon terminals

Question 2

what does the cell body do

Answer 2

receives inputs (e.g. from sense organs, other neurones) and encodes these inputs

Question 3

what does the axon terminal do

Answer 3

serves as the output sends signals to other neurones, muscles and other effectors ( exocrine organs etc).

Question 4

what is electrical signalling along a neuron

Answer 4

the action potential transmitted along the neuron

Question 5

what is chemical singalling across the neuron

Answer 5

transmission of neurotransmitters

Question 6

what makes up the resting membrane potential

Answer 6

• Na+ (and CI-) are outisde
  -K+ (and A-) are concentrated inside
  -ionic charge between isndie and outisde is unequal
  inside is more negative than outside

Question 7

what allows the neurons to alter their membrane potentia and propogate action potentials along an axon

Answer 7

voltage-gated ion channels

Question 8

what does myelin sheath do

Answer 8

1. insulates the axon to prevent AP from leaking

2. allows faster transmission of signal via nodes of ranvier

Question 9

where are neurotransmitters stored when the presynaptic neuron is at rest

Answer 9

in synaptic vesicles

Question 10

what are the 3 criterias that must be met to be identified as a neurotransmitter

Answer 10

1. must be localised i.e. lives in that neuron
2. must be released i.e. able to release it from the termianl upon activation
3. must be identified i.e. has same identity as other neurotransmitters from that same neuron (so has same effect as them)