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Nervous System
PHYL 301 U of Hawaii Ch.8 silverthorn
146
Physiology
Undergraduate 4
12/13/2011

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Term
what 2 cells types compose the nervous system?
Definition
neurons
glial cells
Term
axon
Definition
neuronal process which carries outgoing information
Term
dendrite
Definition
neuronal process which receives incoming signals
Term
what are the 3 classes of neurons according to function?
Definition
sensory (afferent)
interneurons
efferent
Term
interneurons
Definition
neurons that lie entirely within the CNS
Term
varicosities
Definition
enlarged regions along autonomic axons that store and release neurotransmitters
Term
phrenic nerve
Definition
runs from the spinal cord to the muscles
Term
axon terminals contain?
Definition
mitochondria and membrane bound vesicles
Term
at the distal end of an axon the electrical signal is translated into?
Definition
a chemical message, by secretion of a neurotransmitter, neuromodulator or neurohormone
Term
where do neurons that secrete neurotransmitters/modulators terminate
Definition
near their target cells (other neurons, muscles, glands)
Term
where do neurons that secrete neurohormones terminate?
Definition
near blood vessels (so the hormone can get into the blood stream)
Term
synapse
Definition
the region where an axon terminal meets its target cell
Term
axonal transport
Definition
the process of moving proteins down the axon
Term
at what rate does slow axonal transport move?
Definition
0.2-2.5 mm/day
Term
how do materials move during slow axonal transport
Definition
by axoplasmic(cytoplasmic) flow. via actin and myosin
Term
what types of molecules are moved by slow axonal transport?
Definition
neurofilaments and cytoskeletal proteins (molecules which are not consumed rapidly by the cell.)
Term
at what rate does fast axonal transport move?
Definition
100-400 mm/day
Term
how are molecules transported in fast axonal transport?
Definition
via motor proteins that move along microtubule tracks.
Term
fast axonal transport can move molecules in 2 directions, what do they transport in what direction.
Definition
forward (anterograde):vesicles & mitochondria to the axon terminal
backward (retrograde) old cellular components
Term
the four types of CNS glial cells
Definition
oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, astrocytes
Term
2 types of PNS glial cells
Definition
satellite cells, Schwann cells
Term
what is the purpose of glial cells
Definition
provide physical & chemical support to neurons
Term
Schwann cells
Definition
insulate axons in the PNS by wrapping around them forming myelin
Term
oligodendrocytes
Definition
insulate axons in the CNS by wrapping around them forming myelin
Term
myelin
Definition
an insulating substance composed of multiple layers of phospholipid membrane
Term
each wrap of myelin = how many membrane layers?
Definition
2
Term
how are myelin membrane layers connected
Definition
gap junctions
Term
how many axons is 1 Schwann cell associated with
Definition
1
Term
how many axons is 1 oligodendrocyte associated with
Definition
several
Term
Nodes of Ranvier
Definition
gaps between the myelin insulated areas of axons
Term
satellite cells
Definition
form supportive capsules around nerve cell bodies in ganglia
Term
ganglion
Definition
a cluster of nerve cell bodies located outside the CNS
Term
microglia
Definition
specialized immune cells which are permanently located in the CNS
Term
astrocytes
Definition
highly branched; contact neurons,blood vessels may transfer nutrients between the 2
Term
how do astrocytes help maintain homeostasis in the ECF around CNS neurons
Definition
by taking up K+ and neurotransmitters from the ECF.
Term
how do astrocytes communicate with each other?
Definition
gap junctions
Term
ependymal cells
Definition
create a selectively permeable epithelial layer that separates the fluid compartments of the CNS
Term
ependyma
Definition
the epithelial layer created by ependymal cells
Term
where are neural stem cells located
Definition
in the ependyma
Term
Nernst equation
Definition
predicts membrane potential for a single ion
Term
what 2 factors influence membrane potential?
Definition
concentration gradients
membrane permeability
Term
(Nernst equation) E-ion =
Definition
61/z * log(ion-out/ion-in)
Term
in the Nernst equation what is z
Definition
electrical charge of the ion
Term
in the Nernst equation what are ion-in and out
Definition
ion concentrations inside and outside the cell
Term
what is the resting membrane potential of neurons
Definition
-70 mV
Term
GHK equation
Definition
predicts membrane potential using multiple ions
Term
put the GHK equation into words
Definition
resting membrane potential is determined by combined contributions of concentration gradient * permeability
Term
the resting membrane potential of cells is determined by
Definition
K+ concentration gradient
permeability to K+, Na+, Cl-
Term
to change the membrane potential by 100mV what has to happen
Definition
1 of every 100,000 K+ must enter or leave the cell (a significant change in membrane potential by the movement of only a few ions
Term
how does a cell change its ion permeability
Definition
by opening/closing existing channels in the membrane
Term
slow method of changing a cells ion permeability
Definition
inserting/removing channels into/from the membrane
Term
the 4 types of ion channels in the neuron?
Definition
Na+, Ca 2+, Cl-, K+ channels
Term
a channel's conductance
Definition
is the ease with which ions flow thru a channel
Term
mechanically gated ion channels
Definition
found in sensory neurons; open in response to physical forces such as stretching/pressure
Term
chemically gated ion channels
Definition
found in most neurons; open/close in response to chemicals (neurotransmitters, intracellular signal molecules
Term
voltage gated ion channels
Definition
respond to changes in the cells membrane potential
Term
leak channels
Definition
are actually voltage gated channels that remain open in the voltage range of resting membrane potential
Term
which channel opens faster Na+ or K+
Definition
Na+ opens very rapidly
K+ is slower to open
Term
2 classes of electrical signals
Definition
graded potentials
action potentials
Term
graded potentials
Definition
variable strength signals; lose strength as they travel thru a cell; short distance communication
Term
action potentials
Definition
large constant strength depolarizations; travel long distance thru a neuron w/o losing strength.
Term
why are they called graded potentials
Definition
their size is directly proportional to the strength of the triggering event.
Term
where is the trigger zone in sensory neurons
Definition
next to the receptor where the dendrite joins the axon
Term
where is the trigger zone in efferent and interneurons
Definition
the axon hillock
Term
what happens if a graded potential that reaches the trigger zone is strong enough to depolarize the membrane to threshold voltage?
Definition
an action potential is initiated
Term
why do graded potentials lose strength as they move thru the cytoplasm
Definition
current leak
cytoplasmic resistance
Term
what happens if a graded potential that reaches the trigger zone is not strong enough to depolarize the membrane to threshold voltage?
Definition
the graded potential dies out
Term
depolarizing graded potentials are
Definition
excitatory
Term
hyperpolarizing graded potentials are
Definition
inhibitory
Term
what is the value for the threshold
Definition
-55 mV
Term
subthreshold potential
Definition
a potential that is below the threshold when it reaches the trigger zone
Term
what 2 channels do action potentials require
Definition
voltage gated K+ and Na+ channels
Term
name the 3 phases of an action potential
Definition
rising phase, falling phase, after-hyperpolarization phase
Term
the rising phase of the action potential is due to
Definition
a sudden temporary increase in the cells permeability to Na+
Term
the inside of a cell has what charge
Definition
negative (due to all the proteins)
Term
about how high does an action potential go
Definition
+30 mV
Term
overshoot
Definition
the portion of the action potential above 0 mV
Term
what happens when the cell membrane potential becomes positive
Definition
the electrical force driving Na+ disappears (since now both Na+ and the cell are positive)
Term
in an action potential what opens first? second?
Definition
first Na+ channels
second K+ channels
Term
the falling phase of the action potential is due to
Definition
the K+ channels opening
Term
when do Na+ channels close
Definition
at the peak of the action potential (+30 mV)
Term
after-hyperpolarization phase
Definition
the action potential hyperpolarizes past -70 mV, due to K+ channels not done closing yet
Term
how many gates do Na+ channels in the axon have
Definition
2
Term
what are the 2 gates in axonal Na+ channels
Definition
activation & inactivation gates
Term
when a neuron is at resting membrane potential, the activation gate of the Na+ channel is
Definition
closed (no Na+ moves thru the channel)
Term
when a neuron is at resting membrane potential, the inactivation gate of the Na+ channel is
Definition
open
Term
when does the Na+ channels activation gate open?
Definition
when the cell membrane near the channel depolarizes
Term
when does the Na+ channels inactivation gate close?
Definition
when the cell membrane near the channel depolarizes (it closes 0.5 msec after the activation gate opens)
Term
refractory period
Definition
the period of time (2 msec) in which a second action potential cant be triggered after a first
Term
what is happening during the refractory period
Definition
the Na+ channel gates are resetting to their original positions
Term
relative refractory period
Definition
the period of time after absolute refractory period in which a strong than normal graded potential is needed to initiate an action potential
Term
what is the cause of the relative refractory period
Definition
most, but not all Na+ channel gates have reset to their original positions and K+ channels are still open
Term
how does the neuron transmit info about the strength/duration of the stimulus that started the action potential?
Definition
by frequency of action potential propagation (action potentials per second).
Term
what happens to an action potential if you inhibit the Na-K pump of a neuron and then stimulate it over and over
Definition
there is no immediate effect, but they diminish over time and eventually disappear
Term
one action potential does not alter ion concentration gradients (true or false)
Definition
true
Term
action potentials are conducted from where to where
Definition
trigger zone to axon terminal
Term
conduction
Definition
high speed movement of an action potential thru the axon
Term
conduction represents
Definition
the flow of electrical energy from one part of the cell to another in a process that constantly replenishes lost energy
Term
if you place an electrode in the middle of an axon and depolarize the cell above threshold, which direction will the action potential travel?
Definition
in both directions (towards the axon terminal and the cell body)
Term
what are the physical parameters that influence the speed of action potential conduction in neurons
Definition
diameter of axon
resistance of axonal membrane to ion leakage out of cell
Term
what physical parameters will increase action potential conduction in neurons
Definition
larger diameter axons
more leak resistant membrane
Term
conduction is faster in myelinated or unmyelinated axons?
Definition
myelinated
Term
what makes conduction more rapid in myelinated axons?
Definition
channel opening slows conduction slightly and myelinated axons only have to open channels at Nodes of Ranvier
Term
what is the most common demyelinating disease
Definition
multiple sclerosis
Term
symptoms of multiple sclerosis
Definition
fatigue, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, loss of vision
Term
demyelinating diseases are
Definition
inherited or autoimmune
Term
hyperkalemia
Definition
increase in blood K+ levels; will shift resting membrane potential closer to threshold, action potentials will fire in response to smaller graded action potentials
Term
hypokalemia
Definition
decrease in blood K+ levels; pushes resting membrane potential further from threshold
Term
2 types of synapses
Definition
electrical
chemical
Term
electrical synapses
Definition
pass electrical current from the cytoplasm of one cell to another thru gap junctions
Term
chemical synapses
Definition
use neurotransmitters to carry info from 1 cell to the next
Term
neurotransmitters are transported to the axon terminal by
Definition
fast axonal transport
Term
what is the signal for neurotransmitter release at the synapse
Definition
calcium
Term
what type of channels does the axon terminal membrane have
Definition
voltage gated Ca2+ channels (they open in response to depolarization)
Term
kiss and run pathway
Definition
synaptic vesicle doesnt fuse with presynaptic membrane, instead it creates a channel just large enuff for neurotransmitter to pass thru then pulls back
Term
neurotransmitters act...
Definition
at a synapse and elicit a rapid response
Term
neuromodulators act...
Definition
at both synaptic and nonsynaptic sites and are slower acting
Term
7 classes of neurocrine molecules
Definition
acetylcholine, purines, amines, amino acids, gases, lipids, peptides
Term
the PNS secretes only 3 major neurocrines, what are they
Definition
acetylcholine and norepinephrien (neurotransmitters)
epinephrine (neurohormone)
Term
where does the synthesis of acetylcholine take place
Definition
in the axon terminal
Term
neurons that secrete norepinephrine are called
Definition
adrenergic neurons
Term
norepinephrine is the major neurotransmitter of
Definition
peripheral autonomic sympathetic division
Term
primary inhibitory neurotransmitter of the spinal cord
Definition
glycine (amino acid)
Term
ACh is rapidly broken down by
Definition
acetylcholinesterase
Term
dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine are all derived from
Definition
tyrosine
Term
serotonin derived from
Definition
tryptophan
Term
histamine derived from
Definition
histadine
Term
neurotransmitter w/no receptor
Definition
NO (nitric oxide)
Term
2 classes of neurotransmitter membrane receptors
Definition
ligand gated ion channels
G protein coupled receptors
Term
2 main subtypes of cholinergic receptors
Definition
nicotinic
muscarinic
Term
nicotinic receptors are
Definition
monovalent cation channels (Na+, K+) found on skeletal muscle in CNS and PNS
Term
muscarinic receptors in CNS and PNS
Definition
are linked to G proteins
Term
adrenergic receptors
Definition
have alpha and beta subtypes
are linked to G proteins
Term
if a synaptic potential is depolarizing it is called
Definition
excitatory postsynaptic potential
Term
if the synaptic potential is hyperpolarizing it is called
Definition
inhibitory postsynaptic potential
Term
fast synaptic potentials
Definition
neurotransmitters bind to receptor channels
Term
slow synaptic potentials
Definition
neurotransmitters bind to G protein receptors
Term
divergent pathway
Definition
a single presynaptic neuron branches and targets multiple neurons
Term
convergent pathway
Definition
multiple presynaptic neurons target a smaller # of postsynaptic neurons
Term
spatial summation
Definition
multiple subthreshold EPSPs sum to create a suprathreshold potential
Term
temporal summation
Definition
summation that occurs from graded potentials overlapping in time. (ie: 2 potentials from the same presynapse)
Term
what is a more precise means of control pre or postsynaptic modulation
Definition
presynaptic
Term
main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS
Definition
the amino acid glutamate
Term
what are the 2 types of receptors for glutamate
Definition
NMDA and AMPA receptors
Term
disorders related to problems with synaptic transmission
Definition
Parkinson's, schizophrenia, depression
Term
growth cones
Definition
special tips on the axon of embryonic nerve cells that direct growth
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