Neural Plasticity and Dendritic Spine Morphology

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What is the primary function of the cytoskeleton in axons?

Rapid axonal transport through motor proteins

Synthesizing Nissl substance for protein production

Initiating action potentials at the axon hillock

Providing structural support to the axon (correct)

What is the term for the trigger zone for initiation of action potentials in a neuron?

Synaptic terminal

Axon hillock (correct)

Dendritic spine

Nissl body

What is the primary function of kinesin in axonal transport?

Retrograde transport of molecules from the synapse to the cell body

Synthesizing Nissl substance for protein production

Breaking down neurofilaments for axonal recycling

Anterograde transport of molecules from the cell body to the synapse (correct)

What is the term for the projection from a neuron's cell body along which action potentials travel?

Axon Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of neurofilament protein in neurons?

Serving as a marker for neuronal cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of dendritic spines that is important for neural plasticity?

Continuous changes in morphology Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the contents of the axon?

Axoplasm Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of axons that innervate the foot muscles?

Long length and large diameter Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron is characterized by the absence of a true axon?

Anaxonic neuron Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Nissl staining in the context of neurons?

To visualize the rough endoplasmic reticulum Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron is commonly found in the sensory organs of the inner ear?

Bipolar neuron Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the cell body of a neuron?

Soma Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the slow axonal transport in neurons?

To regulate the rate of axon growth Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of pseudounipolar neurons?

The presence of a single process that bifurcates close to the perikaryon Signup and view all the answers

Which type of neuron is responsible for transmitting signals from the olfactory epithelium?

Bipolar neuron Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the aggregates of rough endoplasmic reticulum with bound polysomes found in the cell body and dendrites of neurons?

Nissl substance Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of axons in terms of branching?

They branch less profusely than dendrites Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of collaterals in axons of interneurons and some motor neurons?

To end at smaller branches with synapses influencing the activity of many other neurons Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the dilation at the end of each small axonal branch?

Terminal bouton Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of severing an axon from its cell body?

The distal part of the axon will quickly degenerate and undergo phagocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of movement of molecules during retrograde transport?

From the synaptic terminals to the perikaryon Signup and view all the answers

What is the rate of anterograde and retrograde transport in axons?

50-400 mm/d Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the slower anterograde stream in axons?

It involves the movement of the axonal cytoskeleton itself Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of axoplasm responsible for the dependence of axoplasm on the perikaryon?

Polyribosomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of ATP-dependent Na-K pumps in unstimulated neurons?

To maintain a resting potential of -65 mV Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of Na+ ion movement during an action potential?

Into the axoplasm from the extracellular compartment Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of glial cells in the extracellular compartment?

To regulate the ionic contents of the extracellular compartment Signup and view all the answers

What is the duration of the cycle of events that occurs during an action potential?

Less than 1 millisecond Signup and view all the answers

What is the change in the resting potential of the axon during an action potential?

From negative to positive Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of voltage-gated K+ channels in the axolemma?

To rapidly return the membrane to its resting potential Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of depolarization stimulating adjacent portions of the axolemma?

A wave of depolarization moving along the axon Signup and view all the answers

What is the concentration of Na+ ions in the axoplasm compared to the extracellular compartment in unstimulated neurons?

One-tenth of the extracellular concentration Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the myelin sheath?

To electrically insulate the axon and facilitate rapid transmission of nerve impulses Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cells are found only in the PNS and form myelin around a portion of only one axon?

Schwann cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of oligodendrocytes when observed through a routine light microscope?

They appear as small cells with rounded, condensed nuclei and unstained cytoplasm Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cilia on the apical ends of some ependymal cells?

To facilitate the movement of cerebrospinal fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the white matter in the CNS?

It is white because of the lipid concentrated in the wrapped membrane sheaths Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cells are the counterparts to oligodendrocytes of the CNS?