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structure and function of cells of the nervous system Flashcards

1
Q

neuron

A

type of cell that makes up the nervous system and supports cognitive function

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2
Q

how does a neuron support cognitive function?

A

information processing and information transmitting element

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3
Q

structures that most neurons have

A

soma
dendrites
axons
terminal buttons

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4
Q

functional division of neurons

A

sensory
motor
interneurons

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5
Q

sensory neurons

A

detect changes in the internal and external environment (CNS and PNS)

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6
Q

motor neurons

A

controls muscle contraction and also gland secretion (CNS and PNS)

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7
Q

interneurons

A

involved in cognition

lie entirely within the CNS

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8
Q

structural division of neurons

A

multipolar
bipolar
unipolar

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9
Q

multipolar neuron

A

neuron with one axon and many dendrites attached to its soma

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10
Q

bipolar neuron

A

neuron with one axon and one dendrite attached to its soma

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11
Q

unipolar neuron

A

neuron with one axon attached to its soma, the axon divides with one branch receiving sensory information and the other sending the information to the central nervous system

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12
Q

three types of multipolar neuron

A

motor neuron of the spinal cord
pyramidal cell of the hippocampus
purkinje cell of cerebellum

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13
Q

glial cells

A

oligodendrocytes
astrocytes
microglia
epyndymal cells

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14
Q

what are microglia

A

modified immune cells

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15
Q

another name for astrocytes

A

star cells

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16
Q

what do astrocytes provide?

A

physical support to neurons

nourishment

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17
Q

what do astrocytes control?

A

chemical composition of fluids surrounding neurons

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18
Q

what happens when neurons die?

A

astrocytes clean up debris and form scar tissue

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19
Q

function of oligodendrocytes

A

support axons and produce myelin sheath (lipid insulation)

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20
Q

nodes of Ranvier

A

bare portion of axon (no myelin sheath)

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21
Q

oligodendrocytes in CNS

A

wrapped around several adjacent axons

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22
Q

oligodendrocytes in PNS

A

single schwann cell wrapped around the PNS axon

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23
Q

the blood brain barrier

A

a semipermeable barrier between the CNS and circulatory system

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24
Q

function of the blood brain barrier `

A

to help regulate the flow of nutrient rich fluid into the brain

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25
area postrema
a region of the medulla where the blood brain barrier is wear
26
purpose of the area postrema
Allows toxins in the blood to stimulate this area, which initiates vomiting - poison expelled from the body
27
4 steps of withdrawal reflex
1) dendrites of sensory neuron detect painful stimulus 2) Action potential along axon of sensory neuron 3) excites interneuron in the spinal cord, which excites the necessary motor neuron 4) motor neuron causes contraction of muscle, causing it to move away from the site of pain
28
membrane potential
electrical charge across a cell membrane the difference in electrical charge inside and outside the cell stored up source of electrical energy
29
resting potential
membrane potential of a neuron when it is not being altered by inhibitory or excitatory post synaptic membrane potentials
30
normal resting potential value
-70mV
31
depolarization
reduction of negative charge (towards 0) of the membrane potential when we stimulate a neuron
32
action potential
the brief electrical impulse that provides the basis for conduction of information along the axon
33
threshold of excitation
the value of the membrane potential that must be reached to produce an action potential
34
hyperpolarisation
increase in the membrane potential of a cell | becoming more negative
35
what is the membrane potential a balance of?
diffusion and electrostatic pressure
36
diffusion
movement of molecules from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration
37
electrostatic pressure
when substances dissolve in water, they split into two parts with opposing electrical charge: ions
38
what is exerted by electrostatic pressure?
attraction of oppositely charged ions and repulsion of similarly charged ions
39
intracellular fluid
fluid contained within cells
40
extracellular fluid
body fluid that is located outside cells
41
how can sodium be found outside a cell when both diffusion and electrostatic pressure tend to push it inside?
sodium potassium pump
42
sodium potassium pump
protein in the membrane that pushes sodium out the cells | active mechanism in the membrane that extrudes Na out (3) and transports K in (2)
43
what does action potential result from (general)
movements of ions through membranes
44
ion channels allow
flow of specific ions when open
45
4 stages of a sodium channel during action potential
1) closed 2) open 3) refractory 4) reset
46
all or none law
one an action potential begins, it proceeds without decrement to the terminal buttons
47
how can the speed of conduction be calculated?
from the delay between stimulus and AP
48
rate law
variations in the intensity of a stimulus are represented by variations in the rate at which the axons fires
49
what does a stronger rate of firing cause (muscle)
stronger muscle contractions
50
what law is the all or none law supplemented by?
the rate law
51
saltatory conduction
conduction of action potentials by myelinated axons | APs appear to jump from one nod of Ranvier to the next
52
advantages of saltatory conduction
economy- less energy used by the Na-K pump (located at the nodes of Ranvier) speed: conduction much faster than in an unmyelinated axon
53
what conduction do unmyelinated axons show?
continuous
54
what is a synapse?
the junction between two neurons | the primary means of communication between two neurons
55
what is the synaptic cleft? what size is it?
a very narrow gap of about 20 nm between neurons
56
why do we need neurotransmitters?
action potentials (electrical impulses) cannot cross the synaptic cleft
57
presynaptic neuron
neuron sending impulse
58
postsynaptic neuron
neuron receiving impulse
59
what is neurotransmitters made by? where are they stored?
made by presynaptic neuron | stored in synaptic vesicles
60
what are neuroreceptors?
chemical gated ion channels on the postsynaptic membrane that have specific binding sites for neurotransmitters
61
direct opening of an ion channel
ionotropic receptor
62
indirect opening of an ion channel
metabotropic receptor
63
EPSP
excitatory post-synaptic membrane potential | excitatory depolarisation of the post-synaptic membrane
64
IPSP
inhibitory post-synaptic potential | inhibitory hyperpolarisation of the post-synaptic membrane
65
what is the nature of post-synaptic potential dependant on?
post synaptic receptors: which ion channels they open
66
what is the nature of post-synaptic potential dependant on?
post synaptic receptors: which ion channels they open
67
what is the nature of post-synaptic potential dependant on?
post synaptic receptors: which ion channels they open
68
what is the nature of post-synaptic potential dependant on?
post synaptic receptors: which ion channels they open
69
three major types of ion channel
Na+, K+, Cl-
70
influx of sodium causes? (EPSP/IPSP)
EPSP
71
influx of potassium causes? (EPSP/IPSP)
IPSP
72
influx of chloride causes? (EPSP/IPSP)
IPSP
73
neuronal integration
process by which inhibitory and excitatory post synaptic potentials summate and control the rate of firing of a neuron

brain and behaviour (12 decks)

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