2. Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology

The primary somatosensory cortex is present in lobe number ___, while the visual cortex is located in lobe ___?

D

____ ___ _____ is crucial for generating cellular diversity and maintaining cell-specific functions

Differential gene expression

How to study gene expression via mRNA

ISH (in-situ hybridization)

Steps of ISH

1. fix and permeablize cells

2. apply antisense mRNA complementary to specific codons

3. add antibody that recognizes conjugated enzyme

4. enzyme turns substrate blue/purple

3 examples of transcirptomics

• microarrays

• next-generation sequencing (NGS)

• single cell RNA sequencing

2 techniqes to studt proteins

• western blotting

• Immunohistochemistry

Western blotting (qualitative or quantitative)? Function?

• Qualitative

• Analyze protein levels (from homogenized tissue samples)

Immunohistochemistry (qualitative or quantitative)? Function?

• Qualtitative

• Detects protein of interest for labeling

Definition of “cell”

Fundamental unit of structure, function, and organization in all living organisms

3 conserved functions of neurons

1. highly polarized and compartmentalized

2. transmit electrical signals

3. post-mitotic

3 components of the neurons

• cell body

• axon

• dendrite

Aproximately how many neurons are in the human nervous system

~100 billion neurons

Reticular vs neuron theory

• Reticular theory (Golgi): nervous system is continuous

• Neuron theor (Cajal): each neuron is individual

• Neuron type: spinal motor neuron

• location:

• primary neurotransmitter:

• target:

• location: ventral horn of spinal cord

• primary neurotransmitter: ACh

• target: peripheral skeletal muscles

• Neuron type: cortical inhibitory neuron

• location:

• primary neurotransmitter:

• target:

• location: cerebral cortex

• primary neurotransmitter: GABA

• target: pyramidal cells (regulate excitation)

• Neuron type: interneuron Purkinje neuron

• location:

• primary neurotransmitter:

• target:

• location: cerebral cortex

• primary neurotransmitter: GABA

• target: deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), output of cerebral cortex

• Neuron type: retinal ganglion cell

• location:

• primary neurotransmitter:

• target:

• location: retina

• primary neurotransmitter: glutamate

• target: brain

• Neuron type: DRG sensory neuron

• location:

• primary neurotransmitter:

• target:

• location: dorsal root of sensory spinal nerve

• primary neurotransmitter: glutamate

• target: peripheral tissues

• Neuron type: medium spiny neuron

• location:

• primary neurotransmitter:

• target:

• location: basal ganglia of brain

• primary neurotransmitter: GABA

• target: basal ganglia nuclei

• Neuron type: pre-ganglionic sympathetic neuron

• location:

• primary neurotransmitter:

• target:

• location: lateral horns of spinal cord

• primary neurotransmitter: ACh

• target: paravertebral ganglia

• Neuron type: layer 5 projection neuron

• location:

• primary neurotransmitter:

• target:

• location: cerebral cortex

• primary neurotransmitter: glutamate

• target: thalamus

• Neuron type: mitral cell

• location:

• primary neurotransmitter:

• target:

• location: olfactory bulb

• primary neurotransmitter: glutamate

• target: olfactory cortex

• Neuron type: CA3 pyramidal neuron

• location:

• primary neurotransmitter:

• target:

• location: hippocampus

• primary neurotransmitter: glutamate

• target: inhibitory interneurons

Glia cells

Vital supportive functions (support, protect, insulate)

(T or F) glial cells are iactive connective tissue

false

7 functions of glial cells

1. structural support

2. insulation

3. myelination

4. modulate neurotransmitter levels

5. immune functions (clear debris from scars)

6. regulate metabolic components

7. act as stem cells