Nervous Tissue and Nerve Conduction Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What are the primary functions of the autonomic nervous system?

The primary functions include controlling heartbeat, breathing, digestion, and body temperature.

What type of signaling is associated with afferent and efferent nerves?

Afferent nerves carry sensory information to the central nervous system, while efferent nerves transmit signals from the CNS to effectors like muscles.

Describe the role of glial cells in the nervous system.

Glial cells support and protect neurons, assisting in the maintenance of homeostasis and forming myelin.

What is the difference between multipolar, unipolar, and bipolar neurons?

Multipolar neurons have multiple processes, pseudo-unipolar neurons have one process that branches, and bipolar neurons have two distinct processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is synaptic transmission and why is it important?

Synaptic transmission is the process through which neurons communicate via neurotransmitters across synapses, and it is vital for transmitting signals between neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the resting membrane potential and its typical value in neurons?

-70 mV Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of potassium (K+) ions in generating the resting membrane potential.

There is a high concentration of K+ ions inside the cell, contributing to the negative charge of the resting membrane potential. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of ependymal cells in the central nervous system?

Ependymal cells are responsible for producing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Signup and view all the answers

How do microglia contribute to the immune response in the nervous system?

Microglia act as immune cells and perform phagocytosis to eliminate pathogens and debris. Signup and view all the answers

What factors contribute to the steady state of the resting membrane potential?

The steady state results from both passive ion flux and active transport mechanisms. Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary roles of glial cells in the nervous system?

Glial cells support the survival and function of neurons, regulate the extracellular microclimate, and assist in waste removal. Signup and view all the answers

Identify two types of neurons found in the central nervous system (CNS) and their primary functions.

Motor neurons transmit signals to muscles for movement, while pyramidal cells are involved in cognitive functions such as decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What role do oligodendrocytes play in the nervous system?

Oligodendrocytes are responsible for the myelination of axons, providing insulation that enhances the speed of electrical signals. Signup and view all the answers

Contrast the functions of astrocytes in the CNS and satellite cells in the PNS.

Astrocytes regulate the extracellular environment and help in scar formation in the CNS, while satellite cells support and protect neuron cell bodies in the PNS. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in relation to astrocytes?

The blood-brain barrier, facilitated by astrocytes, selectively controls the passage of molecules between blood and nervous tissue, protecting the brain. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nervous Tissue 1

Nervous tissue is the functional unit of the nervous system
Neurons are specialized cells that transmit electrical impulses
Neurons share common structural features to send and receive information
Nervous tissue has multiple functions including autonomic functions (heartbeat, breathing, etc), cognitive skills (planning, thinking), and sensorimotor function (sensation and movement)
There are different structural neuron types, including multipolar, pseudo-unipolar, bipolar, and anaxomic neurons
Examples of specific neuron types and functions include motor neurons, pyramidal cells, mitral cells, and Purkinje cells
Glial cells support and maintain the function of neurons, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and Schwann cells

Nerve Conduction

The resting membrane potential is -70mV
Ionic concentrations at rest create an extracellular environment that has a net positive charge, an intracellular environment with negative charge and creates a membrane charge of minus 70mV
Stimulus initiates an influx of positively charged ions, changing the membrane voltage in a process called depolarization, to a positive value
Repolarization returns a cell to its resting membrane potential
Action potentials are an "all-or-nothing" response
Propagation of action potential, starting at the axon hillock, and moving as a wave along the axon, due to the voltage-gated Na+ channels producing a regenerative current

Synaptic Transmission

An AP reaching the axon terminal stimulates calcium channels to open
Ca2+ causes synaptic vesicles to release neurotransmitter molecules
Molecules diffuse across the synaptic cleft, binding to receptors
The binding of neurotransmitter to receptors opens Na+ channels, generating a postsynaptic potential
Active reuptake of remaining neurotransmitter is involved

Summation

Simultaneous stimuli from several conducting fibers is called spatial summation
Successive stimuli on the same nerve is called temporal summation

Peripheral Nerves, Spinal Nerves, and Dermatomes & Myotomes

Peripheral nerves are categorized by afferent and efferent signaling
Mixed spinal nerves contain both afferent and efferent fibers
Nerve plexus are networks of intersecting nerves
Dermatomes are specific areas of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve
Myotomes are muscles supplied by a single spinal nerve

Glial Cells

Glial cells support and maintain the function of neurons in the nervous system, they are non-excitable cells, supporting the survival and function of the nervous system
Examples of glial cells include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, satellite cells, Schwann cells, and ependymal cells

Myelin Sheath and Conduction Velocity

Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates axons, preventing ion leakage
Myelination increases the resistance of the axon membrane
In myelinated axons, action potentials "jump" from node to node (saltatory conduction), significantly increasing conduction velocity
Axon diameter and temperature are also factors affecting conduction velocity, larger diameters and higher temperatures generally increase nerve conduction velocity, due to the quicker diffusion of ions

Blood-Brain Barrier

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selectively permeable barrier that controls which molecules can pass between the blood and nervous tissue
The BBB is made up of specialized endothelial cells, tight junctions, and astrocytes, together forming a barrier that limit the passage of substances from the blood into the brain.

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Description

Test your knowledge on nervous tissue and nerve conduction with this quiz. Explore the various types of neurons, their functions, and the underlying principles of nerve impulses and resting membrane potential. Perfect for students of neuroscience and biology.