II. Neuron Morphology

Be sure to know the definitions of terms that are underlined in the text. Please educate yourself on the meaning of these terms.  If you are having trouble please post a comment.



1. Neurogenesis

The brain contains approximately 100 Billion neurons. It is amazing when you consider that in the beginning at conception there was only one fertizlized cell. The growth of cells and cellular connections are responsbile for the adult brain structure and function.
  To better understand the process of neurogenesis look up the following terms online- Proliferation, migrtion, aggregationand process growth and synapse formation; neuron death and myelination. Also know there are two proposed processes that are are thought to govern neural growth: chemoaffinity theory and blueprint theory.

2. Types of Brain Cells

The nervous system is made up of two types of cells, glia and neurons. Their form is dictated by their function.  

         a. Macroglia cells include astrrocytes, oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells.  

                Know the function of macroglia and microglia.   
                What is the role of these cell types in Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's 

         b. Basic Neuron 

                   Label the following with the correct name

3. Neuron Morphology

In addition to identifying these structures in the above diagram- briefly describe their function.

3.1: cell body (soma), dendrites, axon, cytoplasm, interstitial fluid, cell membrane (lipid bilayer) terminal buttons (boutons) axon branches (axon terminal)
3.2: nucleus, neurofilaments microtubules
3.3: neurotransmitter molecules; synaptic vesicles
3.4 synapase, receptive area (dendritic arborization), axon hillock, axon shaft
3.5: pre-synaptic membrane, post-synaptic memberane, receptors, neurtransmitter molecule, synaptic vesicle, omega complex
3.6: schwann cells, nodes of ranvier, oligodendrocyte, myelin sheath
3.7 ion channels, ionotropic receptor and ionotropic receptor binding site