NEUROBIOLOGY EXAM #1
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Neurons - Correct Answers -Consists of several parts: the soma, the dendrites and the
axon.
Responsible for most of the unique functions in the human brain.
Sense the changes in the environment, communicate these changes to other neurons
and command the bodies response to these sensations.
Tend to be densely packed in certain parts of the brain and absent from others.
Glia (Glial Cells) - Correct Answers -contribute to brain function mainly by insulating,
supporting and nourishing neighborhood neurons.
1. Astrocytes-
support neurons
Help modify/ strengthen synapses
Neurotransmitter communication
2. Oligodendrocytes-
(CNS) in the peripheral NS a type is called Schwann cells (generate myelin and form
insulation)
3. Microglia-
"immune system" cells of the CNS
Blood Brain Barrier - Correct Answers -o To uptake materials from the blood
o Takes up glucose to ATP
o But makes it hard for doctors to get medicine into the brain (because of the barrier)
o Small molecules can get across, but large molecules cannot.
Radial Glial Cells - Correct Answers -Form a scaffold for neurons to navigate on
Nodes of Ranvier - Correct Answers -The place where the membrane is exposed and
the only place where ions can leave.
Golgi - Correct Answers -The first to physically stain neurons. Decided that all neurons
are interconnected (their membranes touch).
Reticular theory- All neurons interconnected via cytoplasmic connections. Discovered
that soaking brain tissue in a silver chromate solution (golgi stain) makes a small
percentage of neurons become darkly colored in their entirety.
, Cahal And Sherrington - Correct Answers -Disagreed with Golgi's theory and believed
that each cell was separate and binded by its own membrane. Argues that the neurities
of different neurons are not continuous with each other and communicate by contact,
not continuity.
Cytoskeleton components: - Correct Answers -microtubules
actin filaments
Neurofilaments
Neuron & Glia Example - Correct Answers -Example: If the brain was a chocolate chip
cookie, neurons would be the chocolate chips and glia would be the cookie dough that
fills all the other space and suspends the chips in their appropriate locations
Reticular Theory - Correct Answers -All neurons are interconnected via cytoplasmic
connections
Kinesins - Correct Answers -Molecular motors that travel in the positive direction (move
toward the positive)
Types of Synapses - Correct Answers -o Axosecretory synapses- Axon terminal
secretes directly into the bloodstream.
o Axoaxonic synapses- Axon terminal secretes into another axon.
o Axodendritic synapses- axon terminal ends on a dendrite spine
o Axoextracellular synapse- Axon with no connection secretes into extracellular fluid
o Axosomatic synapse- Axon terminal ends on cell
o Axosynaptic synapse- Axon terminal ends on another axon terminal
Myelin - Correct Answers -No cytoplasm in the region of myelination. The
consequence? There is very high resistance, high insulation
Axon's ion channels are restricted to the nodes of ranvier (the gaps between the myelin)
Node=1-2 microns across
Myelin sheath=1mm
Polio - Correct Answers -Affects the PNS, Viral disease that damages the myelin,
Causes paralysis, Vaccine for polio developed in 1955 to stop the spread (Didn't help
individuals who already had it) ,The spread (didn't help individuals who already had it)
MS (multiple Sclerosis) - Correct Answers -Episodic in many cases (not for most
people)
We do not generally know what specifically causes MS. Damages myelin in the CNS
Central Nervous System - Correct Answers -Brain and the Spinal Cord. (the largest part
of the brain is the cerebrum)
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Neurons - Correct Answers -Consists of several parts: the soma, the dendrites and the
axon.
Responsible for most of the unique functions in the human brain.
Sense the changes in the environment, communicate these changes to other neurons
and command the bodies response to these sensations.
Tend to be densely packed in certain parts of the brain and absent from others.
Glia (Glial Cells) - Correct Answers -contribute to brain function mainly by insulating,
supporting and nourishing neighborhood neurons.
1. Astrocytes-
support neurons
Help modify/ strengthen synapses
Neurotransmitter communication
2. Oligodendrocytes-
(CNS) in the peripheral NS a type is called Schwann cells (generate myelin and form
insulation)
3. Microglia-
"immune system" cells of the CNS
Blood Brain Barrier - Correct Answers -o To uptake materials from the blood
o Takes up glucose to ATP
o But makes it hard for doctors to get medicine into the brain (because of the barrier)
o Small molecules can get across, but large molecules cannot.
Radial Glial Cells - Correct Answers -Form a scaffold for neurons to navigate on
Nodes of Ranvier - Correct Answers -The place where the membrane is exposed and
the only place where ions can leave.
Golgi - Correct Answers -The first to physically stain neurons. Decided that all neurons
are interconnected (their membranes touch).
Reticular theory- All neurons interconnected via cytoplasmic connections. Discovered
that soaking brain tissue in a silver chromate solution (golgi stain) makes a small
percentage of neurons become darkly colored in their entirety.
, Cahal And Sherrington - Correct Answers -Disagreed with Golgi's theory and believed
that each cell was separate and binded by its own membrane. Argues that the neurities
of different neurons are not continuous with each other and communicate by contact,
not continuity.
Cytoskeleton components: - Correct Answers -microtubules
actin filaments
Neurofilaments
Neuron & Glia Example - Correct Answers -Example: If the brain was a chocolate chip
cookie, neurons would be the chocolate chips and glia would be the cookie dough that
fills all the other space and suspends the chips in their appropriate locations
Reticular Theory - Correct Answers -All neurons are interconnected via cytoplasmic
connections
Kinesins - Correct Answers -Molecular motors that travel in the positive direction (move
toward the positive)
Types of Synapses - Correct Answers -o Axosecretory synapses- Axon terminal
secretes directly into the bloodstream.
o Axoaxonic synapses- Axon terminal secretes into another axon.
o Axodendritic synapses- axon terminal ends on a dendrite spine
o Axoextracellular synapse- Axon with no connection secretes into extracellular fluid
o Axosomatic synapse- Axon terminal ends on cell
o Axosynaptic synapse- Axon terminal ends on another axon terminal
Myelin - Correct Answers -No cytoplasm in the region of myelination. The
consequence? There is very high resistance, high insulation
Axon's ion channels are restricted to the nodes of ranvier (the gaps between the myelin)
Node=1-2 microns across
Myelin sheath=1mm
Polio - Correct Answers -Affects the PNS, Viral disease that damages the myelin,
Causes paralysis, Vaccine for polio developed in 1955 to stop the spread (Didn't help
individuals who already had it) ,The spread (didn't help individuals who already had it)
MS (multiple Sclerosis) - Correct Answers -Episodic in many cases (not for most
people)
We do not generally know what specifically causes MS. Damages myelin in the CNS
Central Nervous System - Correct Answers -Brain and the Spinal Cord. (the largest part
of the brain is the cerebrum)
