Nervous System Flashcards
(111 cards)
Neurons
Neurons (nerve cells) are network that form the human nervous system. They typically have numerous long processes.
Neurons form the parenchyma.
Neuron is a functional unit in both CNS and PNS.
Glial cells descriptions, functions, embryonic development, and compositions
Glial cells are supporting cells of the nerve cells which have short processes. (They are like glue)
Glial cells form the stroma
They suppport neuronal survival and activities.
They are 10X more abundant than neurons.
They develop from progenitor cells of the embryonic neural plate (neural tube and the neural crest).
They substitute for cells of connective tissue. The collagen-like structure are neuropils.
Anatomical divisions of the Nervous System
Central Nervous system and Peripheral Nervous System
Components of the Central Nervous System
Cerebrum, Cerebellum, and Spinal Cord
Components of the Peripheral Nervous System
Cranial nerves, Spinal nerves, and Peripheral nerves or Ganglia
Define Nuclei, Tracts, Ganglia, and Nerves
Nuclei are somas or cell bodies in CNS.
Tracts are collection of axons in CNS (sheathed by oligodendrocytes).
Ganglia are somas or cell bodies in PNS.
Nerves are collection of axons in PNS (sheathed by Schwann cells or neurolemmocytes).
Functional divisions of the Nervous System
- Sensory (Afferent)
a. Somatic- sensory input perceived consciously (skin)
b. Visceral- sensory input not perceived consciously (heart) - Motor (Efferent)
a. Somatic - motor outpur controlled voluntarily (skeletal muscle)
b. Autonomic Nervous System - motor output NOT controlled voluntarily (heart, gland, effectors)
Somatic (Voluntary) Nervous System and Autonomic(Involuntary) Nervous System
Remember: SAME DAVE
Division of the Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic division (fight, flight, freeze) and Parasympathetic division (rest and digest)
Neuronal pathways of the ANS (autonomic nervous system)
Preganglionic (cell body in CNS) and Postganglionic (cell body in a ganglion)
Depolarization Wave
Stimuli by environment changes->
Membrane Depolarization: Neurons respond by altering ionic gradient [(electrical potential) cells that rapidly change its potential are excitable]->
Action potential/ Depolarization wave/Nerve impulse
Development of Nerve tissue
Nervous tissue develops from ectoderm (outermost)[3rd week of development]->
Thickens to form epithelial neural plate [signal comes from the underlying axial structure, the notochord]->
Sides of the plate fold upward and grow toward each other medially->
Neural tube forms [within few days]- gives rise to CNS, neurons, glial cells
Neural crest (mesenchymal) above neural tube-> gives rise to PNS and non-neuronal cell types
All the rest of will become epidermis

3 main parts of a Neuron
- Cell body/ Perikaryon/ Soma - contains nucleus and organelles. Synthetic or Trophic center.
- Dendrites - elongated processes-> Receive stimuli from other neurons at synapses.
- Axon - single long processes ending at synapses. Conduct nerve impulse to other cells. May also receive information from other neurons.
Neurolemma
Neuronal cell membrane
Smallest neuron
Cerebellar granule cell
Neuronal classifications
Structural:
- Multipolar neurons- (most common) 1 axon and 2 or more dendrites (interneurons, motor)
- Bipolar neurons- 1 dendrite + 1 axon (sensory neurons of the retina, olfactory epitehlium, inner ear- SPECIAL sensory)
- Unipolar or Pseudounipolar neuron- axon bifurcates close to perikaryon. Peripheral process connects the dendrites. Central process leads to the CNS. (general sensory)- dorsal root ganglia
- Axoaxonic neuron- many dendrites but no true axon. Do NOT produce action potential but regulate electical changes of adjacent CNS neuron.
Functional:
Sensory, Interneuron, Motor Neuron

Interneurons
Interneurons:
- connect 2 brain regions to form functional circuits in CNS.
- play a vital role in reflexes
- either multipolar or anaxomic
- comprise 99% of all neurons in adults
Locations of Soma in CNS, Axons in CNS, Cell bodies in PNS, Axons in PNS
Soma in CNS are found in gray matter (cortex).
Axons in CNS are found in white matter (medulla).
- Medulla oblongata- mixture of white matter tract and gray matter nuclei
Cell bodies in PNS are found in ganglia and some sensory regions (olfactory mucosa)- (gray matter in medulla)
Axons in PNS are bundled in nerves (white matter forming a path)
In cerebellum:
Cortex: outer layer (gray mater)
Medulla: inner layer (white matter)
Nuclei: gray matter in medulla
Tract: white matter-> arbor vitae
What is Parkinsonβs disease and state its treatment
Parkinsonβs disease is a gradual loss by apoptosis of dopamine-producing neurons which cell bodies lie within the nucleus of the CNS substantia nigra. It is treated by L-dopa (dopamine percursor)
Describe the cell body of a typical neuron with regard to its nucleus, cytoplasm, golgi, mitochondria, cytosketelal components, and pigmentation
Nucleus- unusually large, euchromatic (intense synthetic activity), prominent nucleolus
Cytoplasm- numerous free polyribosomes & highly developed RER (active production of cytoskeletal proteins & proteins for transport and secretion). Basophilic (chromatophilic substances or Nissl bodies) are abundant in large neuron cells like motor neurons.
- Axon hillock- origin of axon
Golgi apparatus- is only found in cell body
Mitochondria- can be found throughout the cell (abundant in axon terminals)
Microtubules, Actin filaments, Intermediate filaments (Neurofilaments- type IV intermediate filaments) are abundant in both cell body and processes
Lipofuscin- residual bodies left from lysosomal digestion can be seen
Neurofilaments
Neurofilaments are Type IV Intermediate filaments (neurofibrils) that can be seen on light microscopy by a silver stain.
Function of dendrites and location of the cytoskeletal element
Dendrites are principal signal reception and processing sites of neurons. Their cytoskeletal elements are predominantly in distal region.
Dendritic spine
Dendritic spine is the initial processing site for synaptic signal. It depends on actin filaments and changes continuously as synaptic connections on neurons are modified (key important in neural plasticity), It can be visualized with silver staining through confocal or electron microscopy to see as most synapses occur.
Axolemma
Axon plasma membrane
Axoplasm
Axon cytoplasm







































