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Neurophysiology Flashcards

1
Q

Neuron

A

Excitable cells with specialised projections which transmit info around the body by electrochemical transmission

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2
Q

Dendrites

A

Bring info to cell body

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3
Q

Axons

A

Take info away from cell body

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4
Q

Myelin sheath

A

Lipid covering most axons, produced by Schwann cells (membrane = regular intervals)

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5
Q

Node of Ranvier

A

gaps in myelin sheath

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6
Q

Interneurons

A

Spinal cord + brain, signals from sensory neutrons or other interneurons

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7
Q

Sensory neurons

A

Run to spinal cord and brain from stimuli receptors (cell bodies in clusters at spinal cord => ganglia)

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8
Q

Motor neurons

A

Impulses from CNS to effectors (muscles and glands)

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9
Q

Spinal cord

A

31 pairs of spinal nerves - both sensory and motor axons -
All sensory axons -> dorsal root ganglion -> spinal cord
All motor axons -> ventral root -> sensory axons -> mixed nerves

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10
Q

Resting potential

A

Electrical charge across plasma membrane - interior more negative -> -70mV
Sodium/potassium ATPase pump pushes 2K+ in for every 3Na+ out -> net loss of +ve charge within cell
K+ leaky channels so slow facilitated diffusion of K+ out

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11
Q

Depolarisation

A

Reduce charge across membrane . Mechanically gated sodium channels open -> ligand-gated Na+ channels open -> excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) -> reduced to threshold violates (~-50mV) -> action potential (nerve impulse). Na+ close and K+ open out -> normal polarity. All or none. Strength = frequency

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12
Q

In myelinated areas…

A

Action potential jumps form node to node (myelin = insulator) by saltatory conduction which speeds up the propagation of the action potential

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13
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

Controls smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, glands and some adipose tissue

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14
Q

Sympathetic nerovous system

A

Fight or flight response

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15
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system

A

Everyday responses

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16
Q

Neuromuscular junction

A 
The synapse between a somatic motor neuron and skeletal muscle fibre
Arrival of AP
Depolarisation of presynaptic membrane
Voltage-Gated Ca2+ channels open
Influx of Ca2+ ions
Vesicles fuse presynaptic membrane
Release of Ach 
Diffusion to postsynaptic receptors (ligand-gated Na+ channels)
Activation of postsynaptic receptors
Generation of end-plate potential (EPP)
Transmitted intact - Achesterare
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17
Q

Neurotransmitters

A

Chemical signal released by a neurone that influences the neurones largest cell -> amino acids (GABA), amines (Acetylcholine), peptides, others (adenosine, ATP)

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18
Q

Synaptic plasticity

A

Can change functionally or structurally
Molecular and structural changes at synapse -> learning and memory deficits e.g. memory encoding -> storage -> retrieval
Training = gain of function

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19
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: all body systems

A

And hormones (endocrine) = communication and regulation of body tissues

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20
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: integumentary system

A

Sympathetic nerves ANS - control os SM to hair follicles and secretion of perspiration from sweat glands

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21
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: skeletal system

A

Pain receptors in bone tissue -> brain trauma and damage

22
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: muscular system

A

Somatic motor neutrons - contract SM - body moves basal ganglia and reticular system = muscle tone, cerebellum co-ords skilled movement

23
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: endocrine system

A

Hypothalamus regulates secretion of hormones from pituitary gland, ANS from adrenal gland and pancreas

24
Q

Contribution of NS to homeostasis: CV System

A

Medulla oblongata -> nerve impulses ANS => heart rate. ANS regulates bp and blood flow through vessels

25
Contribution of NS to homeostasis: Lymphatic system and immunity
NTs regulate immune respones - increase and decrease
26
Contribution of NS to homeostasis: respiratory system
Brain stem controls rate and depth. ANS airways diameter
27
Contribution of NS to homeostasis: digestive system
ANS and enteric NS regulate, parasympathetic ANS stimulates process
28
Contribution of NS to homeostasis: urinary system
ANS blood flow in kidneys -> urine formation
29
Contribution of NS to homeostasis: Reproductive system
Hypothalamus and limbic system - sexual behaviour, NAS - erection and ejaculaton. Hypothalamus - hormones controlling gonads. Touch stimuli suckling infant - oxytocin and milk ejection
30
Sclera
Outermost layer of the eye - posterior proportion (5/6 eye) (anterior = cornea)
31
Episclera
Sclera: outermost layer, contacts eye socket, loose CT
32
Sclera proper
Sclera: middle layer, collages, tendons, attach to Tenan's capsule
33
Lamina fuscula
Sclera: Inner layer, adjacent to choroid, collagen and elastin, pigmented cells
34
Uvea: choroid
Largest | Blood vessels, Bruch's membrane - supports retinal pigmented epithelia
35
Uvea: ciliary body
Projections close to lens producing aqueous humour
36
Uvea: iris
Covers lens and regulates light -> retina and protects from sunlight
37
Tear film
Provides nutrients to cornea, contains antibacterial agents and provides a clear optical surface Outer, oily layer - tears don't evaporate quickly, prevents dryness Middle aqueous layer nourishing cornea and conjunctiva Bottom mucin layer
38
Aqueous humour
Maintains intracellular pressure, contributes to ocular transparent, provides metabolic support for lens, cornea and vitreous Similar to plasma body but only 1% plasma protein
39
Itra-ocular pressure (IOP)
10-21 mmHg, dynamic balance of secretion and draining of aqueous humour High = glaucoma - loss of visual light field => blindness
40
Eye lens
Oldest cells and proteins in the body - fully formed at week 4-5 Avascular tissue - low O2 tension, 8mm diameter, central cells, no organelles Refract light, low light scatter, all life Disease: age related, environment, diabetes, drugs
41
Avascular tissue facilitates image focus
Lens capsule - BM -> homogenous translucen CT matrix - glycoprotein Subcapsular epithelium - single layer of cuboidal cells Lens fibres - elongated cells from near lens equator Cells grow - optical axis, lose many organelles at optical acs - hexagonal and pack tightly - highly organised Few organelles - high in proteins (60-70%) - major protein = cystallins which increases refractive index of cytosol
42
Accommodation of lens
Thinner focussing distance - relaxed ciliary muscles | Presbyopia - with age (47+) lens less elastic - muscle contraction and less accomodation
43
Cataract
With age, lens fibres less transparent, not sufficient light for clear image - replace with plastic
44
Human retina
Transparent, at least 11 layers, converts light energy -> nervous impulses - signal transduction, photoreceptors, 120 million rods, 6 million cones, muller glia, retinal pigmented epithelia 0.5mm thick Photoreceptors outermost pigment against epithelium and choroid Absorption of photons by visual pigment of photoreceptors -> biochemical message -> electrical message -> neurons of retina 3 layers of nerve cell bodies 2 layers of synapses Outer nuclear layer - cell bodies of rods and cones Inner nuclear layer - cell bodies of bipolar, horizontal, amacrine cells Ganglion cell layer - cell bodies of ganglion and displaces amacrine cells Dividing nerve cell layers - 2 neuropils -> synaptic contacts occur over 1m fibres - only myelinated after leaving eye
45
Photoreceptors
Outer segment - stacks of membranes with visual pigment molecules Inner segment - mitochondria, ribosomes and membranes where opsin molecules assemble Cell body - nucleus Synaptic terminal - neurotransmission - 2nd order neurons
46
Rod cells
Rhodopsin Sensitive to blue/green light -> 500nm peak, highly sensitive -> dark/dim conditions - monochromatic Thiner Peripheral retina
47
Cone cells
``` Cone opsin 3 types: 1 - max sensitive to either long wavelength of light (red) 2 - medium wavelength (green) 3 - short (blue) Colour perception Thicker At fovea ```
48
Muller cells
Guide light to rods and cones - tram lines and putative stem cells
49
Retinal pigmented epithelium cells
Prevent retinal degradation - consume damaged cells e.g. UV damage - no knock on effects like phagocytosis. Cell barrier
50
Optic nerve
Centre of retina - circular, oval white area 2x1.5mm -> major blood vessel Ganglion cell axons - brain and incoming vessels Innermost retina closest to lens
51
Fovea
Centre of macula, only cones
52
Optic disc
Entry of optic nerve into eye = blind spot - no photoreceptors, only axons

Physiology (9 decks)

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