26/02/19
Professor Maurice Elphick
Introduction to Neurobiology
1836 – Czech Jan Purkinje observed the first brain cells in the cerebellum
• Could only see resolution of cell bodies
Reticular Theory Cell Theory
Nerves from syncytium are connected with Cells are independent units – the correct theory
protoplasmic bridges formed by the cytoplasm
of cells
1891 Waldeyer first coined the term “neurone”
Camillo Golgi 1843-1926
• Stained brain cells in his kitchen
• Italian doctor
• Still not understood why his method works and why only certain cells show up
Santiago Ramon y Cajal 1852-1934
• Refined the Golgi staining method
o Used it on many different species and drew them
• Spanish histologist
Nobel Prize 1906 – went to both of them, even though Golgi thought reticular theory, and Cajal, cell
• Cell body = soma
• Integration = many inputs to one cell body
• Spike initiation = where the action potential starts
Morphology
1) Monopolar – 1 process
2) Bipolar – 2 processes
3) Multipolar – 3 processes
Function
1) Sensory – photo, chemo and mechanoreceptors
2) Interneuron – usually in CNS
3) Motoneuron – output to muscles and glands
Glial Cells
• 10 times more glial cells than neurons in the brain
• Support functioning of neurones and development
1) Astrocytes – controls blood brain barrier and blood flow
2) Oligodendrocytes – Schwann cells
3) Microglia – immune cells of brain
Professor Maurice Elphick
Introduction to Neurobiology
1836 – Czech Jan Purkinje observed the first brain cells in the cerebellum
• Could only see resolution of cell bodies
Reticular Theory Cell Theory
Nerves from syncytium are connected with Cells are independent units – the correct theory
protoplasmic bridges formed by the cytoplasm
of cells
1891 Waldeyer first coined the term “neurone”
Camillo Golgi 1843-1926
• Stained brain cells in his kitchen
• Italian doctor
• Still not understood why his method works and why only certain cells show up
Santiago Ramon y Cajal 1852-1934
• Refined the Golgi staining method
o Used it on many different species and drew them
• Spanish histologist
Nobel Prize 1906 – went to both of them, even though Golgi thought reticular theory, and Cajal, cell
• Cell body = soma
• Integration = many inputs to one cell body
• Spike initiation = where the action potential starts
Morphology
1) Monopolar – 1 process
2) Bipolar – 2 processes
3) Multipolar – 3 processes
Function
1) Sensory – photo, chemo and mechanoreceptors
2) Interneuron – usually in CNS
3) Motoneuron – output to muscles and glands
Glial Cells
• 10 times more glial cells than neurons in the brain
• Support functioning of neurones and development
1) Astrocytes – controls blood brain barrier and blood flow
2) Oligodendrocytes – Schwann cells
3) Microglia – immune cells of brain
