Neurons and Glial Cells Quiz

Study Notes

Neurons and Glial Cells

The nervous system is made up of neurons and glia.
Neurons are specialized cells that can receive and transmit chemical or electrical signals.
Glia provide support functions for neurons and may assist in some of the signaling functions of neurons.
Neurons communicate via both electrical signals (action potentials) and chemical signals (neurotransmitters).
Dendrites are tree-like structures that receive neurotransmitters from other neurons.
Synapses are specialized junctions where neurotransmitters are released from one neuron to pass the signal to the next neuron.
An axon is a tube-like structure that propagates the integrated signal to specialized endings called axon terminals.
Neuronal communication depends on the connections that neurons make with one another.

Communication Between Neurons

Neurons communicate via both electrical and chemical signals.
The three general phenomena required for communication between neurons are resting potential, action potential, and neurotransmitters.
The resting potential is the membrane potential in a neuron that is not currently transmitting a signal.
An action potential is a brief depolarization along the neuron’s axon that sends the signal to the next neuron.Neurotransmission and Synaptic Communication
GABA is a neurotransmitter that, when released from a presynaptic neuron, binds to and opens Cl- channels, allowing Cl- ions to enter the cell and hyperpolarize the membrane.
Neurotransmitters must be removed from the synaptic cleft after neurotransmission has occurred. This can be done through diffusion, enzymatic degradation, or recycling by the presynaptic neuron.
EPSPs and IPSPs are graded and vary in magnitude of depolarization or hyperpolarization.
Action potentials are all-or-nothing events.
Summation in time occurs when multiple EPSPs or IPSPs from the same presynaptic neuron add up over time to reach the threshold for an action potential.
Summation in space occurs when EPSPs or IPSPs from multiple presynaptic neurons add up simultaneously to reach the threshold for an action potential.
Spatial summation can occur through convergence of multiple presynaptic neurons onto a single postsynaptic neuron.
Temporal summation can occur through repeated firing of a single presynaptic neuron.
Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that binds to and opens Na+ channels, allowing Na+ ions to enter the cell and depolarize the membrane.
Acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that binds to and opens Na+ channels, allowing Na+ ions to enter the cell and depolarize the membrane.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in reward and motivation that can be released from neurons in the ventral tegmental area and bind to receptors in the nucleus accumbens.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation that can be released from neurons in the raphe nuclei and bind to receptors throughout the brain.

Description

Test your knowledge on the fascinating world of neurons and glial cells with our quiz! From the basics of neuronal communication to the various types of neurotransmitters, this quiz covers a wide range of topics. Challenge yourself and see how much you know about the complex workings of the nervous system. Keywords: neurons, glial cells, communication, resting potential, action potential, neurotransmitters, EPSPs, IPSPs, summation, glutamate, acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin.