Cells of the Nervous System

Question 1

What are the three main patterns of dendrites and axons in the body?

Answer 1

Multipolar

Bipolar

Unipolar

Question 2

Nissl granules

Answer 2

Consist of RER and associated ribosomes. Numerous microscopic clumps can usually be seen in nerve cell bodies.

Sites of protein synthesis

Question 3

Neurofilaments

Answer 3

Complex meshwork of structures protein strands that are assembeld into large neurofibrils

Question 4

Neurotubules

Answer 4

Involved in transport of materials about the cell

Question 5

Neuromelanin

Answer 5

Brown black pigment produced as a by-product of the synthesis of catecholamines.

It thus occurs most abundantly in cell groups that utilise catecholamines as their neurotransmitter

i.e. pars compact of the SN

Locus coeruleus in the pons

Question 6

Location of locus coeruleus

Answer 6

Pons

Question 7

Possible locations of synapses

Answer 7

Axodendritic

Axosomatic

Axoaxonal

Dendorodendritic

Question 8

Locus coeruleus

Answer 8

Noradr

Question 9

Substantia nigra

Answer 9

Dopamine

Question 10

Raphe nuclei

Answer 10

5-HT

Question 11

What are the principle categories of neuroglia?

Answer 11

Asytrocytes

Oligodendrocytes

Microglia

(Ependymal cells)

Question 12

Function of astrocytes

Answer 12

Perivascular endfeet upon the walls of blood capillaries.

Can control passage of chemicals across BBB.

Question 13

Function of oligodendrocytes

Answer 13

Main role is the production of the myelin sheath that surrounds axons int he CNS.

Question 14

Microglia

Answer 14

Immune cells.

Question 15

Ependymal cells

Answer 15

Epithelial cells which line the ventricles and cover the choroid plexus.

Question 16

Why are most tumours of the CNS gliomas and not neuronal

Answer 16

Neurones do not replicate after completion of development.

Glial cells are still able to undergo division and are subsequently susceptible to neoplasia.

Question 17

Retrograde transport

Answer 17

From axon to cell body