Chedy - theme 4

Question 1

Limbic system:

Answer 1

It’s like… in the centre of the brain. Located on both sides of the thalamus, right under the cerebrum. Not a distinct system - a collection of structures from the telencephalon, diencephalon, and mesencephalon. Where things (subcortical structures) attach to the stuff (cortex). OLFACTION AND EMOTION. Influences endocrine system and autonomic nervous system.

Question 2

Indirect/humoral cell communication:

Answer 2

Mediated by chemical ligands that bind to specific receptors in target cells. Information travels slowly and the response is prolonged (hours-weeks).

Question 3

Hormones:

Answer 3

Signalling molecules synthesized and secreted by specialized cells that are released into the blood. They exert specific actions on distant target cells. Produced by endocrine glands and neurons.

Question 4

Growth factors:

Answer 4

Hormones, ish. Released into the interstitial space to exert action on nearby target cells. They are paracrine regulators. Some hormones are also paracrine regulators.

Question 5

Neural cell communication:

Answer 5

Neurotransmitters. Secreted into a virtual compartment termed a synapse. Info is very fast and responses are short-lived.

Question 6

Neurotransmitters and hormones:

Answer 6

Can be secreted into general circulation to have hormonal actions.

Question 7

Neuromodulator:

Answer 7

A neurotransmitter that diffuses through large areas to regulate a diverse population of neurons in the CNS.

Question 8

Classical synaptic transmission:

Answer 8

One neuron directly influences a single partner. Monogamous neurons! (Monogamy is bullshit)

Question 9

Pheromones:

Answer 9

Substances secreted from one organism to another of the same species to produce a specific reaction. Like hormones for outside the body. Travel through air or water. Can signal readiness to mate, marking territories, etc.

Question 10

Detecting pheromones:

Answer 10

Through two distinct olfactory systems: main (to detect volatile chemical, connected to the brain cortex) and accessory (for pheromones, connected to limbic and hypothalamus).

Question 11

Vomeronasal organ (VNO):

Answer 11

Auxiliary olfactory sense organ found in many animals. First stage of the accessory olfactory system. Involved in flehmen response (deranged horse).

Question 12

Types of signalling molecules:

Answer 12

Hydrophilic, lipophilic, gaseous

Question 13

Structures of signalling molecules:

Answer 13

Amines - derived from tyrosine or tryptophan. Includes thyroid hormones and some neurotransmitters.
Proteins/peptides - soluble in water. Includes most hormones, neurohormones, cytokines and growth factors.
Steroids - cholesterol derivatives from gonads, adrenal/cortex glands. Includes estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol.

Question 14

Retinoids and eicosanoids:

Answer 14

Retinoids - derived from vit A. Paracrine regulators involved in development and cell differentiation.
Eicosanoids - derived from fatty acids. Paracrine regulators of smooth muscle (specifically prostaglandins do this).

Question 15

Gases as signalling molecules:

Answer 15

CO, H2S, and NO are natural paracrine messengers. These inorganic gases are normally considered toxic.

Question 16

Roles of gaseous signalling molecules:

Answer 16

NO is a powerful, short-lived vasodilator. CO and H2S are paracrine regulators.