Cells and tissues of the nervous system

Question 1

PNS consists of (2)

Answer 1

Cranial nerves

Spinal nerves

Question 2

What fibres do spinal nerves carry (4)

Answer 2

Sensory

Somatic motor

Autonomic motor

• sympathetic
• parasympathetic

Question 3

2 cell types making up the nervous system

Answer 3

Neurons

Glia/ glial cells

Question 4

Are glial cells excitable

Answer 4

No

Question 5

Typical neuron consists of (4)

Answer 5

MULTIPLE DENDRITES, 1 CELL BODY, 1 AXON & SYNAPTIC TERMINALS

Question 6

What is the cytoplasm of the cell body of a neuron known as

What is the cytoplasm of the axon of a neuron known as

Answer 6

Perikaryon

Axoplasm

Question 7

Do neurons proliferate by mitosis

Answer 7

No, they proliferate by amitosis (unusual form of cell division in which the nucleus and cytoplasm divide by constriction without the formation of chromosomes)

Question 8

Are neurons or glia bigger

Answer 8

Neurons

Question 9

Axons may or may not be covered in a

Answer 9

Myelin sheath

Question 10

Purpose of a myelin sheath

Answer 10

Increase conduction speed by saltatory conduction

Question 11

Myelin sheath is formed by what type of glial cell

• in the PNS
• in the CNS

Answer 11

PNS - Schwann cells

CNS - oligodendrocytes

Question 12

3 types of neurons

Answer 12

Multipolar - e.g. motor neurons
Bipolar
Pseudounipolar - e.g. sensory neurons

Question 13

What type of neurons are motor neurons

Answer 13

Multipolar

Question 14

What type of neurons are sensory neurons

Answer 14

Pseudounipolar

Question 15

Name 6 types of glial cells + which of these are in the CNS (4) and the PNS (2)

Answer 15

CNS:
Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
Microglial cells
Ependymal cells

PNS:
Schwann cells
Satellite cells

Question 16

Most abundant glial cell in the CNS

Answer 16

Astrocytes

Question 17

2 functions of astrocytes

Answer 17

Provide structural and biochemical support to neurons

Forms part of BBB (due to its end feet projections)

Question 18

Function of microglia

Answer 18

Phagocytosis

Question 19

Function of ependymal cells (a type of glial cell)

Answer 19

Line ventricles

Question 20

What is grey matter composed of

Answer 20

Cell bodies of neurons

Question 21

Focused collections of neuronal cell bodies are called in the CNS

Answer 21

nuclei

Question 22

Focused collections of neuronal cell bodies outside the CNS are called

Answer 22

ganglia, e.g. DRG

Question 23

Function of the BBB

Answer 23

SEMIPERMEABLE membrane allowing passage of water, some gases, and hydrophobic (O2, CO2) molecules by passive diffusion, as well as the selective transport (transport protein required) of molecules such as glucose and amino acids

Question 24

Circumventricular organs are those that lack a

Answer 24

BBB

They have a highly permeable microvasculature

Question 25

Where are circumventricular organs found

Answer 25

Midline structures around the third and fourth ventricles

Question 26

Drugs entering brain have to be … … or use suitable … or else it can’t cross the BBB

Answer 26

lipid soluble

vectors

Question 27

What special feature do astrocytes have

Answer 27

Long end feet projections that surround synapses & capillaries

Question 28

BBB consists of (3)

Answer 28

1. Tight junctions between endothelial cells
2. Thick basal lamina
3. Endfeet of astrocytes that surround endothelial cells

Question 29

CSF is found where (3)

Answer 29

VENTRICLES
CENTRAL CANAL OF SPINAL CORD
SUBARACHNOID SPACE

Question 30

CSF protects the brain by providing…

Answer 30

buoyancy which prevents the weight of the brain from compressing the cranial nerve roots and blood vessels against the internal surface of the cranium

Question 31

3 layers of meninges

Answer 31

Dura
Arachnoid
Pia

Question 32

Which layer of the meninges is vascularised

Answer 32

Pia