Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Neuroscience > Chapter 2 > Flashcards

Chapter 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two major classes of cells in the brain?

A

Neurons and the glia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are neurons?

A

Neurons have a function to receive, integrate, and transmit information
- There are ~ 85 billion neurons in the human brain
- Each neuron receives on average more than 1,000 synaptic inputs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the glia?

A

The term glia means “glue”. They support neuronal functions. There are 3 major types of glia:
1. Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells
2. Astrocytes
3. Microglia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the function of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells?

A

Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells wrap around the axon to provide insulation in the form of myelin
- Oligodendrocytes are found in the CNS and Schwann cells are found in the PNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the function of the astrocytes?

A

Astrocytes provide supporting functions for neurons. They buffer potassium ions, take up glutamate released by neurons, and provide metabolic fuel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the function of microglia?

A

Microglia are the resident immune cells of the brain
- They become activated to help fight off infection and clear cellular debris via phagocytosis
- Involved in pruning/elimination synapses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the functions of neurons?

A

Neurons are excitable cells that:
- Process information
- Sense environmental changes
- Communicate changes to other neurons
- Command body response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is histology?

A

Microscopic study of tissue structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the function of a Nissl stain?

A

It stains cell bodies & facilitates the study of cytoarchitecture in the CNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the function of a golgi stain?

A

It sparsely stains whole cells & allows imaging of a whole neuron (cell body and neurites)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What discoveries did the golgi stain lead to?

A

It revealed two parts of neurons: soma + perikaryon and neurites: axons and dendrites
- It also described the nervous system as continuous work (the Reticular theory)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is Cajal’s contribution to the Golgi stain?

A

Cajal introduced the Neuron Doctrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the Neuron Doctrine?

A

The Neuron Doctrine explains that the nervous system is made up of discrete individual cells
- Neurons communicate by contact, not continuity
- Neural circuitry

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the simplified model of a neuron?

A

The pyramidal neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the parts of a neuron?

A
  1. Soma
  2. Nucleus
  3. Dendrites
  4. Axon Hillock
  5. Axon
  6. Myelin (optional)
  7. Node of Ranvier
  8. Axon Collateral
  9. Presynaptic Terminal
  10. Synaptic Vesicles
  11. Synaptic CLeft
  12. Postsynaptic Density
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the components of the prototypical neuron?

A

The neuronal membrane and the cytoplasm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does the neuronal membrane consist of?

A
  • Phospholipid membrane barrier that encloses cytoplasm
  • ~5 nm thick
  • Portein concentration in membrane varies
  • Structure of discrete membrane regions influences neuronal function
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What does the cytoplasm consist of?

A

The cytoplasm consists of contents within a cell membrane (cytosol, organelles, NO nucleus)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is cytosol?

A

Cytosol is watery fluid inside the cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are organelles?

A

Organelles are membrane enclosed structures within the soma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What functions occur in the nucleus?

A

Gene expression, transcription, and RNA processing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Why do neurons differ from other cells?

A

Neurons differ from other cells because of the expression of specific genes. We are able to understand these expression by the evolution of DNA and mRNA sequencing advances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What has genetic association studies helped us identify?

A

Genetic association studies have identified many genes involved in the development of diseases of the nervous system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What has single cell RNA-seq methodology?

A

Single cell RNA-seq methodology has allowed us to characterize mRNA expression differences across the different types of neuronal cell types

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the function of the ribosome?

A

Ribosomes are the major site for protein synthesis

26
Q

What is the function of the rough endoplasmic recticulum?

A

The rough ER is where proteins are synthesized and are destined to be inserted into the membrane

27
Q

What do free ribosomes produce?

A

Free ribosomes produce cytosolic proteins

28
Q

Where is protein synthesis located?

A

Protein synthesis is located on free ribosomes, polyribosomes, and the rough ER

29
Q

What are the functions of the rough ER and Golgi apparatus?

A

The rough ER and Golgi apparatus are sites for preparing/sorting proteins for delivery to different cell regions (trafficking) and regulating substances

30
Q

What is the mitochondira?

A

The mitochondria is the site of cellular respiration (inhale/exhale), Krebs cycle, and the cell’s energy source (ATP)

31
Q

What is the cytoskeleton?

A

The cytoskeleton is the internal scaffolding of the neuronal membrane and it includes three structures

32
Q

What three structures are present in the cytoskeleton?

A

Microtubules, microfilaments, and neurofilaments

33
Q

What are microtubules composed of?

A

Microtubules are composed of individual tubulin molecules

34
Q

What are microfilaments composed of?

A

Microfilaments are composed of individual actin molecules

35
Q

What are neurofilaments composed of?

A

Neurofilaments are composed of long polypeptide molecules

36
Q

What are dendrites?

A

Dendrites are the antennae of neurons and are synapse receptors

37
Q

What is the function of dendritic spines?

A

Dendritic spines are postsynaptic, meaning they receive signals from the axon terminal

38
Q

What are the characteristics of the axon?

A

The axon:
- May range in length from less than a millimeter to over a meter long
- Includes the axon hillock (beginning)
- Includes the axon proper (middle)
- Includes the axon terminal

39
Q

What is the axon terminal?

A

The axon terminal is the site of synaptic transmission to another neuron

40
Q

What are the differences between axon and soma?

A
  • The endoplasmic reticulum does not extend into an axon
  • The axon has few, if any, ribosomes meaning there is no protein synthesis
  • Protein composition of axonal membrane is unique
40
Q

What are the differences between axon and soma?

A
  • The endoplasmic reticulum does not extend into an axon
  • The axon has few, if any, ribosomes meaning there is no protein synthesis
  • Protein composition of axonal membrane is unique
41
Q

What are the components of axoplasmic transport (axonal transport)?

A

The anterograde and the retrograde

42
Q

What are the components of axoplasmic transport (axonal transport)?

A

The anterograde and the retrograde

43
Q

What is the anterograde transport?

A

Anterograde is soma to terminal transport

44
Q

What is the retrograde transport?

A

The retrograde transport is terminal to soma transport

45
Q

What proteins are responsible for transport?

A

Motor proteins are responsible for transport

46
Q

What are the motor proteins used for anterograde transport?

A

Kinesin

47
Q

What are the motor proteins used for retrograde transport?

A

Dynein

48
Q

What are the differences between the cytoplasm of the axon terminal and the axon?

A
  • No microtubules in terminal
  • Presence of synaptic vesicles
  • Abundance of membrane proteins
  • Large number of mitochondria
49
Q

What can occur due to synaptic transmission dysfunction?

A

Synaptic transmission dysfunction can lead to mental disorders

50
Q

What are the different ways to classify neurons?

A
  1. Connections and function within the CNS
  2. Axonal length
  3. Gene expression
  4. Neurotransmitter type
51
Q

What is the classification of Golgi Type I

A
  • Long axons
  • Extend from one brain region to anther
  • Projection neurons
52
Q

What is the classification for Golgi Type II?

A
  • Short axons
  • Do not extend beyond their immediate brain region
  • Local circuit neurons
53
Q

A singular neurite is ….

A

Unipolar

54
Q

Two neurites are….

A

Bipolar

55
Q

More than two neurites are….

A

Multipolar

56
Q

What are stellate cells?

A

They are star shaped

57
Q

What are pyramidal cells?

A

They are pyramid shaped

58
Q

How are the astrocytes different from other glia?

A

Astrocytes:
- Most numerous glia in the brain
- Fill spaces between neurons
- Influence neurite growth
- Regulate chemical content of extracellular space

59
Q

What is the purpose of myelinating glia (Oligodendroglia and Schwann)?

A

The functional purpose is to insulate and protect axons, increase action potential conduction rate (saltatory conduction)

60
Q

What is the node of Ranvier?

A

It’s the region where the axonal membrane is exposed between adjacent myelinating cells

61
Q

What is the purpose of microglia?

A

They are a specialized form of glia that function as phagocytes (resident immune cells in the brain)
- Involved in regulating synapse numbers
- Pruning/elimination of synapses

Neuroscience (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions