Cells of the nervous system

Dendrites

Revive chemical signals (neurotransmitters) to the soma (cell body)

Soma

Cell body. Contains nucleus, generates action potential

Axon

Information (action potential) travels down to axon terminals > releases neurotransmitters (chemical signals)

Glial cells - Microglia (CNS)

Primary immune defence of the CNS > removed cellular debris

What are the functions of astrocytes?

Neuronal support

Repair damage

Regulate neuronal communication

Maintain blood-brain barrier

What cells produce myelin in the CNS and PNS?

CNS - oligodendrocytes

PNS - Schwann cells

(Function: Ckber neurons with myelin for insulation)

What are the functions of ependymal cells?

Found in ventricles

Produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Protect the brain

Remove waste products

What is the role of radial glia?

Neurogenesis (generate new neurons)

Guide movement of new neurons through the brain

What do satellite cells do (found in PNS)

Protect and support neurons

Regulate the neural environment

Structure and function of unipolar/pseudounipolar neurons?

Structure: single process extending from the cell body

Function: sensory receptors

Location: ganglia (dorsal root ganglia)

Structure and function of bipolar neuron?

Structure: one dendrite and one axon

Function: specialised sensory transmission (vision, smell)

Location: Retina, inner ear, offsctory bulb

Structure and function of multipolar neurons?

Structure: multiple dendrites + single axon

Function: most common type; motor control & CNS processing

Location: anterior horn cells (spinal cord motor neurons)

What are sensory (afferent) neurons and what is their structure?

function: carry sensory info from receptors to CNS

Structure: mostly unipolar

What are motor (efferent) neurons and what is their structure?

Function: sends impulses from CNS to muscles/glands

Structure: multipolar

What are interneurons (association neurons) and what is their structure?

Function: bridge sensory & motor neurons (CNS integration)

Structure: multipolar

Location: CNS (spinal cord, brain)