Psych 454 (Behavioral Neuroscience)

Exam 1 Prep

Neurons and Glia

Two Main Types of Brain Cells

Glia

Regulate chemical content of extracellular space (these are called “astrocytes)

and

Insulate axons of neurons (these are called “oligodendrocytes” and “Schwann Cells”)

Astrocytes (Type of Glia)

Type of Glia that regulates chemical content of extracellular space.

Oligodendrocytes (CNS) and Schwann Cells (PNS) (Types of Glia)

Types of Glia that insulate axons of neurons

Ependymal Cells (Glia Cell)

Lines fluid-filled ventricles and guides cell migration during brain development (Glia Cell)

Microglia (Glia Cell)

Removes debris from degenerating neurons and glia (Glia Cell)

Vasculature

Arteries, Capillaries, Veins

Cell Membrane (boundary of cell), Dendrites, Axon, Cell Body (Soma)

What are the parts of a prototypical neuron?

Cell Membrane (Boundary of Cell)

• Lipid bilayer (2 fat layers)

• Contains proteins, e.g. receptors, channels (for electric current & bind chemical messengers)

Dendrites

• Receives input from other neurons

• Part of Synapses (Post-Synaptic)

Synapses

Connections between neurons

Axon

• Provides input to other neurons

• Axon hillock: Site of action potential generation

• Axon Terminal: Part of Synapses (Pre-Synaptic)

Axon

Provides input to other neurons

Axon Hillock

Site of action potential generation

Axon Terminal

Part of Synapses (Pre-Synaptic)

Cell Body (Soma)

• Gene expression and transcription and DNA (Nucleus)

• Protein Synthesis (Rough ER, Ribosomes)

• Protein Sorting (Smooth ER, Golgi Apparatus)

• Cellular Respiration/Energy (Mitochondria)

• Fluid inside the cell called “cytosol”

Nucleus (Cell Body/Soma)

Gene Expression and Transcription

Rough ER, Ribosomes (Cell Body/Soma)

Protein Synthesis

Smooth ER, Golgi Apparatus (Cell Body/Soma)

Protein Sorting

Mitochondria (Cell Body/Soma)

Cellular Respiration/Energy

Cytosol (Cell Body/Soma)

Fluid inside the cell