Neuro 2

Topics
• Cells of the nervous system 8.2
– Neurons (226-229)
• Axonal transport (229)
• Synapses (229-231)
– Glia (231-233)

http://pollev.com/bmsc207
 Poll Q
• If a cell has a resting membrane potential of -
70pmV and the membrane potential suddenly
changes to +10mV, the cell is:
a) Hyperpolarizing
b) Depolarizing
c) Repolarizing
d) None of the above
 Cells of the nervous system

Neurons: the basic signaling units of the nervous system

Glia: support cells
 Neurons
• Afferent: Sensory
– Carry information about temperature, pressure, light and
other stimuli to the CNS
– Specialized receptor converts stimulus to electrical energy
• Interneurons
– Complex branching neurons that facilitate communication
between neurons
• Efferent: Motor and autonomic
– Motor: control skeletal muscles
– Autonomic: influences many internal organs (smooth,
cardiac muscles, glands)
• Sympathetic and parasympathetic
– Usually have axon terminals or varicosities
 Nerves
Bundles of peripheral neurons

• Efferent (motor)
• Afferent (sensory)
• Mixed
 Axonal transport
The axon is specialized to convey chemical and electrical signals that
require a variety of different types of proteins.

-the axon contains many types of fibres and filaments but lacks
ribosomes and ER necessary for protein production, therefore
proteins must be produced in the cell body and transported down
the axon.
https://goo.gl/images/dtDDcg

https://cnx.org/contents/FPtK1zmh@8.25:fEI3C8Ot@10/Preface
Axonal transport

Anterograde

Retrograde
 Axonal transport
Fast vs slow
• Fast axonal transport
– Membrane bound proteins and organelles (vesicles or
mitochondria)
– Anterograde: cell body to axon terminal, up to 400 mm/day
– Retrograde: axon terminal to cell body, 200 mm/day
• Slow axonal transport
– Cytoplasmic proteins (enzymes) and cytoskeleton proteins
– Anterograde, up to 8 mm/day, some evidence for retro
– Not well characterized, may be slower due to frequent
periods of pausing of movements
 Axon Transport

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QZJ
rshalh4
 Kinesins and Dyneins: motor proteins

Kinesins-anterograde
transport

Dyneins-retrograde
transport

ATP hydrolysis drives

movement of proteins
to “walk” along
filaments Millecamps and Julien. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 14, 161-176 (March 2013).
 Poll Q
What neuron structure is depicted by F?
a) Soma
b) Axon
c) Axon terminal
d) Dendrite
 Synapses
-majority are chemical synapses
-space contains extracellular matrix
(proteins and carbohydrates) that
hold the pre and post synaptic cells
in close proximity

Presynaptic
cell

Synaptic
cleft

Postsynaptic
cell
http://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/v15/n4/images/nrn3708-f2.jpg
 Establishing synapses
How do billions of neurons in the brain find correct targets during
development?
-depends on chemical signals

-axons of embryonic neurons contain

growth cones that sense and move
towards particular chemical signals

-growth cones depend on growth

factors, molecules in the extracellular
matrix and membrane proteins

-once reaching a target cell a synapse

forms
Synapse must then be maintained through repeated use, “use it or
lose it”
 Glia provide support for neurons
Initially believed glia to outnumber neurons by 10-50 to 1, more
recently ~1 to 1

For years thought to be for simple physical support

Now known to communicate with neurons and provide important

biochemical support
 Myelin forming glia
-a substance composed of multiple concentric layers of phospholipid
membrane wrapped around an axon
CNS-oligodendrocytes PNS-Schwann cells

https://goo.gl/images/bEwq3y

Wrap the axons of multiple neurons (up to 50) 1 cell wraps a segment of 1 neuron
Non-myelinating schwann cells

Provide structural stability, acts as insulation around the axon to speed

up electrical signals (saltatory conduction), supply trophic factors
 Demyelination
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): disorder resulting from demyelination
in brain and spinal cord

MS symptoms: sensory,
motor and cognitive issues.

Cause is unclear but the

underlying mechanisms
appear to be:
-autoimmune (immune cells
attack myelin)
-reduced ability of myelin
producing cells
-Genetic and environmental
factors http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/
dxc-20131884
 Poll Q
Axonal movement of membrane bound proteins and
mitochondria occurs via (blank) axonal transport and
when movement is from the cell body to the axon
terminal it is considered (blank)

a) fast, retrograde
b) Slow, anterograde
c) Fast, anterograde
d) Slow, retrograde
 Satellite glial cells

Openstax Anatomy and Physiology

-Exist within ganglia (bundles of cell bodies) in the PNS

-form a supportive capsule around the cells bodies of neurons
(sensory and autonomic)
-supply nutrients
-structural support, provide a protective cushion