Lec 15 - Nervous Tissue Flashcards
(53 cards)
What is the basic structural unit of nervous tissue?
The neuron is the basic unit of structure in nervous tissue.
Describe the primary function of a neuron.
A neuron receives stimuli from internal (interoceptive) and external (exteroceptive) environments and transmits information to effector organs.
Which two characteristics make neurons highly specialized?
Neurons are highly specialized for irritability (responsiveness to stimuli) and conductivity (signal transmission).
What structures enable neurons to conduct signals?
Neurons conduct signals through well-developed cellular processes, including dendrites and axons.
How do neurons communicate with each other?
Neurons communicate through synapses, which are functional contact points between neurons and their processes.
What is the role of neuroglia?
Neuroglia are supporting cells of the nervous system that provide protection, nutrition, and structural integrity to nervous tissue.
What is the origin of a neuron?
Each neuron originates from an embryonic stem cell called a neuroblast.
Do neurons have structural continuity?
No, neurons are separate and distinct units that make contact with each other but lack structural continuity.
What forms the conduction mechanism of the nervous system?
Chains of neurons form the conduction mechanism, allowing signal transmission.
What are the main components of a neuron?
A neuron consists of a cell body (cyton, soma, perikaryon) and processes (dendrites and axon).
What are the two functional classifications of neurons?
Neurons can be classified as transmission (conducting) neurons and neurosecretory neurons based on function.
What are transmission (conducting) neurons?
Transmission neurons make up the majority of neuronal types and consist of dendrites, a cell body, and an axon.
How are transmission neurons further classified?
They are classified into:
• Golgi Type I Neurons – Have numerous dendrites and a very long axon.
• Golgi Type II Neurons – Have numerous dendrites and a short axon.
Give examples of Golgi Type I neurons.
Examples include:
• Ventral horn cells of the spinal cord gray matter
• Sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons
• Sympathetic postganglionic neurons
Give examples of Golgi Type II neurons.
Examples include:
• Interneurons
• Pyramidal cells of the cerebral cortex
• Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex
What are neurosecretory neurons?
Neurosecretory neurons are specialized nerve cells that synthesize, transport, and release hormones into the blood.
How do neurosecretory neurons transport hormones?
They transport hormones via Herring bodies, which are large axon dilatations containing neurosecretory vesicles.
Give an example of neurosecretory neurons and their function.
The neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus secrete oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) into the neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary).
How are neurons classified based on morphology?
Multipolar Neurons:
- Have numerous dendritic processes.
Examples: Golgi Type I and Golgi Type II neurons.
Bipolar Neurons:
- Have one dendrite and one axon located at opposite poles of the cell body.
- Found in areas responsible for special visceral and somatic sensation.
Unipolar (Pseudounipolar) Neurons:
- Have an axon and a dendrite fused near the cell body but separating at a distance.
- Both processes structurally resemble axons.
- Common in cranial and spinal ganglia.
What are the functional relationships of the components of neurons?
• Dendrites: Become stimulated and carry information toward the cell body.
• Axon: Carries information away from the cell body.
• The information is then transferred to the next neuron or effector organ.
What are the key features of a neuronal cell body?
- The nucleus is large, pale, and centrally located within the cytoplasm.
- The cytoplasm (perikaryon) contains filamentous, membranous, and granular organelles arranged concentrically around the nucleus.
What are the major organelles found in the cytoplasm of neuronal cell bodies?
Neurofibrils
Nissl Bodies
Golgi Apparatus
Mitochondria
Centrosome
Other Organelles (SER, lysosomes)
Inclusions (melanin granules, lipofuscin, lipid droplets, secretory granules)
What are neurofibrils?
Neurofibrils are slender, interlacing threads that form the cytoskeleton of the neuron.
They consist of microtubules, intermediate filaments, neurofilaments, and microfilaments (actin) and extend throughout the cytoplasm to connect dendrites and axons.
What are Nissl bodies?
Nissl bodies are basophilic materials in the perikaryon that contain ribonucleic acids (RNA).
They are associated with protein synthesis and are abundant in the cytoplasm, particularly in dendrites but absent in the axon hillock and axis cylinder.