Lecture 8 Review Continued -* Start of final review *

Neuroglia: (additional supporting cells)

 DO NOT generate or conduct nerve impulses
 They support neurons by:
o Forming myelin sheath
o Phagocytosis
o Form the blood brain barrier (BBB)
o Makes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-which circulates around brain & spinal fluid
 There are 4 types of neuroglia in the CNS:
o Astrocytes: support neurons, maintain chemical environment
o Oligodendrocytes: produce myelin in CNS
o Microglia: Phagocytosis
o Ependymal cells: forms and circulates CSF
 There are 2 types of neuroglia in the PNS:
o Satellite cells- support neurons in PNS
o Neurilemmocyte (shwann cells)- produce myelin in PNS

 Myelination: Is the process of forming a myelin sheath- insulates & increases nerve
impulse speed
 Node of Ranvier (neurofibril nodes): are gaps in the myelin sheath

Synaptic Transmission:

 Signal transmission at the synapse is a one way transfer from a presynaptic neuron to a
postsynaptic neuron
o When an AP reaches synaptic bulbs- voltage gated Ca2+ channels open, Ca2+
then flows inward & triggers a release of the neurotransmitter
o The neurotransmitter then crosses the synaptic cleft & binds to ligand-gated
receptors on the postsynaptic membrane
o *The more neurotransmitter is released, the greater the number & intensity of
graded potentials in the postsynaptic cell *
  The presynaptic neuron coverts an electrical signal (nerve impulse) into a chemical
signal (neurotransmitter). The postsynaptic neuron receives the chemical signal and in
turn generates an electrical signal (postsynaptic potential)

Neurotransmitter Clearance:
 Removal of the neurotransmitter is essential for normal function
 Removal in accomplished by:
o Diffusion out of the synaptic cleft
o Enzyme degradation (ex. Acetylcholinesterase)
o Re uptake by cells

Neurotransmitters:
 Both excitatory & inhibitory neurotransmitters are present in the CNS and PNS
o Ach is a common neurotransmitter:
 Is excitatory at the NMJ
 Is inhibitory at other synapse
 Many amino acids act as neurotransmitters:
o Glutamate- is released by nearly all excitatory neurons in the brain
o GABA- is an inhibitory neurotransmitter for 1/3 of all brain synapses

Neuronal Regeneration:
 Nerve tissue regeneration is largely dependent on the neurilemmocytes in the PNS &
essentially doesn't occur at all in the CNS, where astrocytes just form scar tissue
 When an axon is injured, the neurolemma aids regeneration by forming a regeneration
tube (guides & stimulates regrowth of the axon)

Divisions of the Nervous System:

 Central nervous system (CNS): Brain & Spinal Cord
o most signals that stimulate muscles to contract and glands to secrete originate in
CNS
 Peripheral nervous system (PNS): all nervous tissue outside CNS
o PNS consists of the somatic (SNS), autonomic (ANS), and enteric divisions (ENS)
 Somatic nervous system:
o Consists of:
 Somatic sensory (afferent) neurons- convey info from sensory receptors
towards the CNS
 Somatic motor (efferent) neurons- conduct impulses away from the CNS,
toward the skeletal muscles
 Interneurons- connect afferent & efferent neurons in CNS
***all of the above are voluntary***
 Autonomic Nervous System:
o Consists of:
1. Sensory neurons- that convey info from autonomic sensory receptors in
visceral organs to the CNS
2. Motor neurons- under involuntary control conduct nerve impulses from
the CNS to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands
3. Two branches:
 Sympathetic division- fight or flight
 Parasympathetic division- Rest & digest
 Enteric Nervous System
o “the brain of the gut”
o involuntary controls GI propulsion, and acid and hormonal secretions