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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of astrocytes in the central nervous system?
What is the primary function of astrocytes in the central nervous system?
Which type of glial cell is responsible for myelination in the central nervous system?
Which type of glial cell is responsible for myelination in the central nervous system?
What is the significance of myelin in the nervous system?
What is the significance of myelin in the nervous system?
Which type of glial cells are involved in clearing debris from the brain?
Which type of glial cells are involved in clearing debris from the brain?
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What accounts for more than half of the brain's volume?
What accounts for more than half of the brain's volume?
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What percentage of brain cells do neurons account for?
What percentage of brain cells do neurons account for?
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Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving inputs from other neurons?
Which part of the neuron is primarily responsible for receiving inputs from other neurons?
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What is the primary function of the soma in a neuron?
What is the primary function of the soma in a neuron?
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What role do glial cells play in the brain?
What role do glial cells play in the brain?
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What characteristic distinguishes axons from dendrites?
What characteristic distinguishes axons from dendrites?
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What can disrupt neuronal communication?
What can disrupt neuronal communication?
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What feature of axons can affect their signaling capabilities?
What feature of axons can affect their signaling capabilities?
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Which of the following accurately describes the role of neurons?
Which of the following accurately describes the role of neurons?
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What is the primary function of myelin in the nervous system?
What is the primary function of myelin in the nervous system?
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What occurs at the synapse?
What occurs at the synapse?
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Which statement accurately describes the roles of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons?
Which statement accurately describes the roles of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons?
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In which condition is the destruction of myelin a significant feature?
In which condition is the destruction of myelin a significant feature?
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How are neurotransmitters utilized in synaptic transmission?
How are neurotransmitters utilized in synaptic transmission?
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What is the composition of the synaptic cleft?
What is the composition of the synaptic cleft?
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Which part of the neuron is considered postsynaptic?
Which part of the neuron is considered postsynaptic?
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What is the role of oligodendrocytes in the nervous system?
What is the role of oligodendrocytes in the nervous system?
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Study Notes
Cells of the Central Nervous System
- The brain is primarily composed of glial cells (90%) and neurons (10%).
- Neurons are specialized cells for communication within the nervous system.
- Neurons receive, process, and transmit information to other neurons using electrical and chemical signals.
Neuron Structure
- Dendrites: Tree-like extensions that receive information from other neurons.
- Soma (Cell Body): The central part of the neuron containing metabolic machinery.
- Axon: A long, thin extension that transmits electrical impulses to other neurons.
- Axon Terminals: The end of the axon where information is transmitted to other neurons.
Myelin
- Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates axons, speeding up electrical signal transmission.
- Myelin is formed by oligodendrocytes.
- Myelin appears white, giving rise to the term "white matter".
- Damage to myelin, as in multiple sclerosis, disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses.
Synapse
- The synapse is the point of contact between the axon terminal of one neuron and another neuron.
- Information is transmitted from the presynaptic neuron (axon terminal) to the postsynaptic neuron (dendrite).
- The synaptic cleft is the gap between the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons.
Neurotransmitters
- Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit information across the synaptic cleft.
- Different neurons use different neurotransmitters.
- Neurotransmitters are stored and released from synaptic vesicles within the axon terminal.
Glial Cells
- Glial cells support neurons and make up more than half of the brain's volume.
- Astrocytes: Form the blood-brain barrier (BBB) which protects the central nervous system from harmful molecules in the bloodstream.
- Oligodendrocytes: Produce myelin, which insulates axons and speeds up nerve impulse conduction.
- Microglia: Act as scavengers, removing debris from dead or degenerating brain cells.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental aspects of the cells comprising the Central Nervous System, including neurons and glial cells. It explores neuron structure, the role of myelin in signal transmission, and synaptic functions, providing a comprehensive overview of these essential components.
