Final Exam Flashcards
(372 cards)
Ganglion
Cluster of nerve cell bodies in the PNS
Nucleus (Nerve)
cluster of nerve cell bodies in the CNS
Neurofilaments
- structure of nerve cells esp. the dendrites and the axon
Microtubules
- transport esp. vesicles of neurotransmitter
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
- extends from the soma to the axon terminal
- conveys the molecules/building blocks for membrane assembly
The 6 Steps of Synaptic Transmission
- Vesicle transport.
- Vesicle-loading.
- Depolarization.
- Exocytosis.
- Binding of NT.
- Depolarization.
Vesicle Transport of Synaptic Transmission
- The vesicle is transported to the axon terminal via microtubules
Vesicle-loading of Synaptic Transmission
- The Vesicle waits until there is a depolarization
Exocytosis of Synaptic Transmission
- After there is a depolarization of the pre-synaptic cell the Loaded Vesicle then fuses to the plasma membrane with the help of SNARES and the neurotransmitters inside are releases into the Synapse
Binding of Neurotransmitters in Synaptic Transmission
- the neurotransmitters bind to their corresponding receptor on the post-synaptic cell and cause a depolarization of the cell
Glia Cells
- non-conducting cells that can enhance neurotransmission
- provide biochemical (speed up impulses), structural, nutritive (growth and
maintenance) , and immune (scavenge toxins, debris) support - there are 5 types of glia cells
Myelination of Axons
- insulates the axon and prevents leaking of the ions
- speeds up impulses
- the thicker the myelin the faster the impulses go
- amount of myelination correlates with the function of the nerve - conscious motor impulses need to move quickly so they are heavily myelinated
Schwann Cells
- > myelinated axons
- wrap around the axon of PNS cells to form many layers of plasma membrane called the myelin sheath
- 1-2mm section of axon/cell
- > unmyleinated axons
- “swallow” 10 axons, but these axons can continue to communicate with the extracellular space in the PNS
oligodendrocytes
- myelinate cells in the CNS (Same function as Schwann cells)
- 60axons/cell
Protoplasmic and Fibrous Astrocytes
- maintain local blood flow
- scavenge ions and maintain homeostasis
- acilitate/control transport across the ‘blood-brain barrier’ (BBB)
- Protoplasmic astrocytes occur in grey matter
- Fibrous astrocytes are found in white matter
Microglia
- Immune scavengers; phagocytic/macrophage-like
- continually extend and retract their processes
- microglia to move their processes to the site of injury via chemo-atractants
- in the CNS
Ependymal Cells
- epithelium lining of: the surface of the brain beneath the pia mater, the inner surface of the brain ventricles, and the inner surface of the central canal of the spinal cord
- Synthesize, secrete, and excrete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Multiple Sclerosis
- loss of central myelin.
- Incidence rate is ~50/100,000 with
death occurring within months to years (>20) of onset.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
-loss of myelin, but this is secondary to the loss
of motor cells and skeletal muscle atrophy.
- The incidence rate is ~3-7/100,000, with death occurring within 2 - 6 years
Connective Tissue Coverings of the PNS
- there are 4 connective tissue layers derived from mesoderm that cover both sensory and motor neurons
- epineurium - outer layer
- perineurium - middle layer
- endoneurium - inner layer
- Schwann cells
Connective Tissue Coverings of the CNS
- there are 3 connective tissue layers derived from mesoderm
- dura matter - outer layer
- arachnoid mater - middle layer
- pia mater - inner layer
- there is a space between the arachnoid matter and pia matter called the subarachnoid space where small blood vessels travel that supply and drain both the brain and spinal cord.
Meningitis
- caused by inflammation of the connective coverings of the brain and spinal cord (= meninges)
- develops in response to infections, drug abuse, cancer, or physical injury
- curable, but has devastating effects (e.g. dementia, death to the pressure on CNS structures) if left untreated
Blood Brain Barrier
- formed by the epithelium that lines the blood vessels of the brain = capillary endothelium
- Many tight junctions in endothelial cells prevent diffusion of macromolecules and ions across the endothelium
- Not entirely impenetrable, as lipid-soluble substances can pass freely, and macromolecules and ions can be actively transported across this ‘continuous’ endothelium
Capillary Endothelium
formed by the epithelium that lines the blood vessels of the brain