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Chapter 2
Glia
49
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Undergraduate 3
09/08/2015

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Term
astrocytes
Definition
a type of glial cell that has numerous processes that contact capillaries & the lining of the cerebral ventricles
Term
How do astrocytes serve important homeostatic functions?
Definition
they control the concentrations of ions & the osmotic pressure of the ECF; help keep the neuronal environment optimal
Term
What type of glial cell takes part in the repair process?
Definition
astrocytes
Term
oligodendrocytes
Definition
a type of glial cell that insulate axons by producing myelin sheaths in the CNS
Term
microglial cells
Definition
the macrophages of the nervous tissue
Term
Schwann cells
Definition
a specialized form of glial cells that form myelin sheaths in the PNS
Term
How are glial cells involved in the prenatal development of the nervous system?
Definition
they provide surfaces & scaffoldings for migrating neurons & outgrowing axons
Term
3 categories of glial cells
Definition
1. astrocytes
2. oligodendrocytes
3. microglial cells
Term
ependyma
Definition
a layer of cylindrical cells that line the surface of the cavities inside the CNS
Term
Muller cells
Definition
the special type of glial cell in the retina
Term
Bergman cells
Definition
the special type of glial cell in the cerebellum
Term
pituicytes
Definition
the special type of glial cell in the pituitary gland
Term
How do the numerous short or long processes of astrocytes help it to control the ECF environment?
Definition
they have a large surface area that enables efficient exchange of ions & molecules with the ECF
Term
end "feet"
Definition
where astrocyte processes contact the surface of capillaries
Term
What couple astrocytes to allow free passage of ions & other small particles among them?
Definition
gap junctions
Term
How do glial cells produce brief electric impulses despite not being able to send precise signals over long distances?
Definition
they open membrane channels for Ca2+
Term
When activated, astrocytes increase local _____
Definition
blood flow
Term
Is K+ a relatively important ion?
Definition
yes!
Term
How do astrocytes contribute to extracellular pH?
Definition
they remove CO2
Term
Why does extracellular neurotransmitter concentration need to be tightly controlled?
Definition
proper synaptic functioning requires that their extracellular concentrations be very low, except during the brief moments of synaptic release
Term
transporter proteins
Definition
proteins in the membranes of neurons & astrocytes that remove neurotransmitters from the ECF
Term
aquaporin
Definition
channels for the transport of water; present in the membranes of astrocytes
Term
AQP4
Definition
the variety of aquaporin that is located in the astrocyte membrane & particularly concentrated in the end-feet region close to capillaries & in the glial processes bordering the CSF
Term
AQP1
Definition
the type of aquaporin that is present in epithelial cells of the choroid plexus (place in brain that produces CSF)
Term
vasogenic brain edema
Definition
where water accumulates extracellularly in the brain
Term
cytotoxic brain edema
Definition
when water accumulates intracellularly in the brain; caused by the failure of energy-dependent ion pumping which reduces the ability of the cells to maintain osmotic stability
Term
Can damaged axons regenerate in the PNS?
Definition
yes!
Term
Can damaged axons regenerate in the CNS?
Definition
no!
Term
lamellae
Definition
the layers of myelin formed when a glial cell wraps itself around the axon
Term
Myelin has a high content of _____
Definition
glycolipids
Term
immunoglobins
Definition
a type of membrane protein that binds the external sides of the membranes tightly together
Term
myelin basic protein (MBP)
Definition
a type of membrane protein that seals the cytoplasmic sides of the membranes in the myelin lamellae so that very little cytoplasm takes up space in the myelin sheath
Term
When does myelination of axons start?
Definition
prenatally (although many neural pathways are not 100% myelinated until age 2)
Term
nodes of Ranvier
Definition
interval interruptions of the myelin sheath along axons
Term
What degenerates in a victim of MS?
Definition
the myelin sheaths
Term
plaques
Definition
the regions of axons that lose their myelin sheaths in MS victims
Term
epineurium
Definition
a connective tissue in the PNS that is an external thick layer of mostly longitudinally running collagen fibers
Term
fascicles
Definition
the smaller bundles of axons internal to the epineurium in the PNS & wrapped in the perineural sheath (perineurium)
Term
endoneurium
Definition
the collagen fibers & fibroblasts within the fascicles in the PNS
Term
blood-nerve barrier
Definition
prevents certain substances from reaching the interior of the fascicles with the axons; made from the perineurium in the PNS
Term
What is the smallest type of glial cell?
Definition
microglia
Term
Microglial cells are of _____ origin
Definition
mesodermal
Term
After _____, the number of cells with phagocytic activity increases in the CNS
Definition
injury
Term
Are microglial cells stagnant in a normal brain?
Definition
no! they are constantly scanning their immediate environment for foreign material & sick or dead cellular elements
Term
Do microglial cells serve to conserve homeostasis?
Definition
yes!
Term
Activation of microglial cells in the spinal cord seems to contribute to the persistence of _____ after nerve damage
Definition
pain
Term
What is the main task of astrocytes after injury?
Definition
strengthening their normal function of keeping the ECF composition constant
Term
neuropathies
Definition
diseases involving degeneration of peripheral nerves
Term
Are most neuropathies inherited?
Definition
yes!
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