Neurotransmission and Synaptic Function
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the cerebrospinal fluid in the CNS?

  • To regulate the body's blood pressure
  • To provide metabolic support to the nervous tissue cells
  • To act as a shock absorber and protect the brain from mechanical damage (correct)
  • To facilitate the transmission of electrical signals between neurons

    • What is the main reason why the brain needs a continuous supply of glucose and oxygen?

  • Because it has a low glycogen storage capacity
  • Because it has a high energy requirement (correct)
  • Because it has a low energy requirement
  • Because it has a high glycogen storage capacity

    • What is the function of the blood-brain barrier?

  • To facilitate the transmission of electrical signals between neurons
  • To facilitate the exchange of substances between the blood and extracellular fluid in the CNS
  • To regulate the body's blood pressure
  • To restrict the exchange of substances between the blood and extracellular fluid in the CNS (correct)

    • What is the role of cerebrospinal fluid in maintaining the correct composition of the environment surrounding nervous tissue cells?

    <p>It helps to maintain homeostasis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the mechanism by which action potentials propagate along a neuron?

    <p>The neuron depolarizes part by part, causing a local current that depolarizes the adjacent resting membrane</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the blood-brain barrier in protecting the CNS from pathogens?

    <p>It restricts the passage of certain substances, including pathogens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the components of the immune system present in the cerebrospinal fluid?

    <p>To protect the CNS against various pathogens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the cerebrospinal fluid in reducing the weight of the brain?

    <p>It reduces the weight of the brain to an equivalent of about 25 g</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the cerebrospinal fluid in maintaining homeostasis in the CNS?

    <p>It helps to maintain the correct composition of the environment surrounding nervous tissue cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the metabolic function of the cerebrospinal fluid?

    <p>To provide nutrients and remove waste products</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Neurotransmission and Synapses

    • Ca2+ induce reactions allow vesicles to fuse with the plasma membrane, liberating contents into the synaptic cleft by exocytosis.

    Excitatory and Inhibitory Chemical Synapses

    • Activated receptors on the postsynaptic membrane open Na+ channels, resulting in depolarization and an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP).
    • Acetylcholine (ACh) is an excitatory neurotransmitter involved in synaptic transmission at neuromuscular junctions.
    • Activated receptors on the postsynaptic membrane open Cl- channels, resulting in hyperpolarization and an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP).
    • Inhibitory synaptic transmission uses a neurotransmitter called GABA, which interacts with GABA receptors, making it harder for a neuron to generate an action potential.

    Synaptic Effectiveness and Activation

    • The effectiveness of a synapse can be influenced by both presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms.
    • The amount of neurotransmitter released affects the amplitude of the EPSP or IPSP in the postsynaptic cell.

    Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators

    • Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals from nerve cells to target cells.
    • A neuron conducting signals toward a synapse is called a presynaptic neuron, while a neuron conducting signals away from a synapse is a postsynaptic neuron.

    Neural Growth and Regeneration

    • The development of neurons is guided by neurotropic (neuro growth) factors.
    • Neurons outside the CNS can repair themselves, but neurons within the CNS cannot.
    • Neurotrophic factors allow a neuron to develop and maintain connections with its neighbors.

    Synapses

    • A synapse is a junction between two neurons, influencing the electrical activity in the postsynaptic neuron, either excitatory or inhibitory.
    • Electric synapses have gap junctions, allowing action potentials to flow directly across the junction.
    • Chemical synapses use neurotransmitters to transmit signals across the synaptic cleft.

    Functional Anatomy of Synapses

    • Axon terminals of presynaptic neurons end in a swelling, separated from the postsynaptic neuron by the synaptic cleft.
    • Neurotransmitters are stored in membrane-bound synaptic vesicles and released into the synaptic cleft when an action potential depolarizes the axon terminal.

    Blood-Brain Barrier and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

    • The brain is dependent on a continuous supply of glucose and oxygen via blood and has little stored glycogen.
    • The blood-brain barrier restricts the exchange of substances between the blood and extracellular fluid in the CNS.
    • CSF provides mechanical and supportive, protective, and metabolic functions, maintaining the correct composition of the environment surrounding nervous tissue cells.

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    Description

    This quiz covers the process of neurotransmission, including the role of Ca2+ in inducing vesicle fusion, exocytosis, and the formation of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in chemical synapses.

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