2. Cell types
Despite the complexity of organization, there
are only two functional cell types
A) neurons - excitable nerve cells that transmit
electrical signals
B) neuroglia (glial) cells - support cells
3. A) Neurons
responsible for conduction, propagation, and
reception of nervous impulses. Processes called
axons or dendrites extend from these cells.
extreme longevity – neurons live and function
normally for a lifetime
amitotic
once mature, neurons lose the ability to divide
damaged nervous tissue cannot regenerate
high metabolic rate
need a large, constant supply of oxygen and glucose
can survive only a few minutes without oxygen
5. Neuron Structure
a)Cell body
Contains the usual cellular organelles
Receptive: membrane receptors initiate and
transmit graded potentials (not action potentials)
in response to incoming stimuli
nerve cell body contains
1)nucleus
large, central in most, large amount of euchromatin
(intense synthetic activity), and nucleolus..
6. Neuron cell body
2) Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
lots of RER for synthesis of structural and transport
proteins, Nissl bodies/substance are condensations
of this RER and free ribosomes
3) Golgi apparatus
found near nucleus.
Expected, since intense synthetic activity of
neurotransmitters and/or neuro hormones that must
be packaged in vesicles.
4) Mitochondria
abundant for high energy requirements
7. a) Cell body
5) Neurofilaments
• intermediate filaments
6) Microtubules
important in transport
of materials.
9. b) dendrites
b) Dendrites
• cell process extending away from the perikaryon
conduct impulses toward the cell body
forms receptive area for synaptic contacts from
other neurons
has tiny rough projectons or spines called gemmules
or dendritic spines that are points of synaptic
contact
• Cytoplasm in these processes similar to that of
perikaryon, but no golgi bodies or nucleus.
11. c) Axons
c) Axons
one long thin cell process extending away from
perikaryon
conduct impulses away from the cell body
• ends of branches form synapses with other
neurons or muscle cells
• may be unmylenated or may be myelinated by
either oligodendroglia in CNS or Schwann cells in
PNS
12. b)Axon structre
1) axon hillock
• pyramid shaped region associated with
perikaryon) - where axon begins
• cytoplasm in this region lacks ribosomes and
organelles; however, neurofilaments and
microtubles are present.
2) initial segment
unmyelinated intitial portion of axon) between
axon hillock and beginning of myelination
3)remainder of axon
(may be myelinated, may be branched
13. 4) axonal terminals
Axonal terminals contain small sacs with
neurotransmitters (chemicals)
Axonal terminals are separated from the next
neuron by a gap (they never really touch)
Synaptic cleft — gap (space) between adjacent
neurons
Synapse — junction between nerves
15. Myelin sheath — whitish, fatty material
covering axons
protects/insulates the cells and increases the
transmission rate of nerve impulses
Schwann cells — produce myelin
Nodes of Ranvier — gaps in myelin sheath
along the axon
16. Neurons classification
Structural:
Multipolar - three or more processes
Bipolar - two processes (axon and dendrite)
Unipolar - single process diverges into 2 conductive
regions
Functional:
Sensory (afferent) — transmit impulses toward the CNS
Motor (efferent) — carry impulses away from the CNS
Interneurons (association neurons) — shuttle signals
through CNS pathways
20. B) Neuroglia(supporting cells)
Support cells in the Central Nervous System
(CNS) are grouped together as neuroglia
Neuroglia literally means “nerve glue” cells
associated with neurons. No axons or
dendrites.
The function of neuroglia is to support,
insulate, and protect the delicate neurons of
the brain.
21. B) Supporting cells
Supporting cells re of the following types
Astrocytes
Microglial cells
Ependymal cells
Oligodentrocytes
Schwann cells
Satellite cells
22. 4 types in the C NS
astrocytes
star shaped with many
processes
connect to neurons;
help anchor them to
nearby blood capillaries
control the chemical
environment of the neurons
23. microglia
oval with thorny projections
monitor the health of neurons
if infection occurs, they
change into macrophages
(eating viruses, bacteria and
damaged cells ie act as
phagocytes (WBC)
24. B)Neuroglia
3) ependymal cells
• shape is squamous
to columnar ciliated
Lines the cavities of
the brain and spinal cord
Circulate cerebrospinal
fluid by beating their cilia
Cerebrospinal fluid fills
the space the brain does not
take up and forms a protective
cushion around the brain
and spinal chord
25. oligodendrocytes
• have few processes
• line up along neurons
and wrap themselves
around axons
• form the myelin
sheath – an insulating
Membrane
• Myelin is a fatty,
insulation covering
the nerve cells;
allows for the electrical
signal to transmit
faster (like wire coating)