Question 1

Name two types of glial cells found in the central nervous system and state their major functions.

Accepted Answer

Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are both found in the CNS. Astrocytes help form the blood-brain barrier; oligodendrocytes form the myelin sheath around axons.

Question 2

Networks of glial cells are coupled by gap junctions between cell membranes. This has consequences on the behavior of the cell networks in terms of how they function within the nervous system. Describe one of these consequences.

Accepted Answer

Glial cells take longer to reach resting potential following depolarization as potassium ions spread through the glial networks.

Question 3

What is the primary role associated with oligodendrocytes?

Accepted Answer

A)  They produce astrocytes in the adult CNS. 
B)  They regulate cerebrospinal fluid. 
C)  They form the myelin sheath around axons within the central nervous system. 
D)  They move to sites of injury within the brain. 
E)  They form the myelin sheath around axons within the peripheral nervous system. 
A)  They produce astrocytes in the adult CNS. 
B)  They regulate cerebrospinal fluid. 
C)  They form the myelin sheath around axons within the central nervous system. 
D)  They move to sites of injury within the brain. 
E)  They form the myelin sheath around axons within the peripheral nervous system. C

Question 4

Voltage recordings of glial cells during activation of nearby neurons show depolarization of the glia. This is due to

Accepted Answer

A)  uptake of potassium from clefts. 
B)  movement of calcium through glial cell networks. 
C)  hyperpolarization of nearby neurons. 
D)  uptake of sodium from clefts. 
E)  release of potassium from the glial cell. 
A)  uptake of potassium from clefts. 
B)  movement of calcium through glial cell networks. 
C)  hyperpolarization of nearby neurons. 
D)  uptake of sodium from clefts. 
E)  release of potassium from the glial cell.

Question 5

Proper myelination of axons is crucial to prevent disorders. Therefore, an exact amount of a myelin protein, _______ is essential.

Accepted Answer

A)  ATP 
B)  connexon 
C)  AQP4 
D)  PMP22 
E)  ACh 
A)  ATP 
B)  connexon 
C)  AQP4 
D)  PMP22 
E)  ACh

Question 6

Describe at least two physical ways that neurons and glial cells can be contrasted.

Accepted Answer

Glial cells greatly outnumber

Question 7

Which type of glial cell myelinates axons in the peripheral nervous system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Oligodendrocytes 
B)  Astrocytes 
C)  Radial glial cells 
D)  Microglial cells 
E)  Schwann cells 
A)  Oligodendrocytes 
B)  Astrocytes 
C)  Radial glial cells 
D)  Microglial cells 
E)  Schwann cells

Question 8

Glial cells may have immediate effects on synaptic transmission of neurons by

Accepted Answer

A)  increasing the rate of neurotransmitter release. 
B)  bridging activity of neurons with other neurons. 
C)  decreasing the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters. 
D)  reducing the resting potential of neurons. 
E)  increasing flow of cerebrospinal fluid throughout the CNS. 
A)  increasing the rate of neurotransmitter release. 
B)  bridging activity of neurons with other neurons. 
C)  decreasing the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters. 
D)  reducing the resting potential of neurons. 
E)  increasing flow of cerebrospinal fluid throughout the CNS.

Question 9

Evidence suggests that glia can be electrically coupled with neurons. Describe the nature of these electrical connections.

Accepted Answer

Glia and neurons are thought t

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the mechanism behind the increased oxygen detected by fMRI during brain activity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Glial cells aid in increasing capillary blood flow through their interaction with neurons and capillaries during periods of high activation. 
B)  There is an increase in the flow of oxygen ions along the axons of active neurons. 
C)  Glial cells allow more molecules into the intracellular space during periods of high activation. 
D)  Glial cells transport oxygen and other ions/molecules from blood capillaries directly to neurons during periods of high activation. 
E)  Oxygen ion channels in glial cells near blood capillaries become more permeable during periods of high activation, allowing more oxygen ions into glial networks. 
A)  Glial cells aid in increasing capillary blood flow through their interaction with neurons and capillaries during periods of high activation. 
B)  There is an increase in the flow of oxygen ions along the axons of active neurons. 
C)  Glial cells allow more molecules into the intracellular space during periods of high activation. 
D)  Glial cells transport oxygen and other ions/molecules from blood capillaries directly to neurons during periods of high activation. 
E)  Oxygen ion channels in glial cells near blood capillaries become more permeable during periods of high activation, allowing more oxygen ions into glial networks.

Question 11

Compared to neurons, glial cells that have become depolarized take a relatively long time to return to resting potential. What is one possible reason for this?

Accepted Answer

A)  Glial cells are smaller than neurons and have fewer ion channels. 
B)  Glial cells have lower resting potentials than neurons. 
C)  Neurons are myelinated, which contributes to the speed of their return to resting potential. 
D)  Potassium spreads through networks of glial cells, which slows the return to resting potential. 
E)  Calcium waves through glial networks prevent potassium from reentering the glial cells. 
A)  Glial cells are smaller than neurons and have fewer ion channels. 
B)  Glial cells have lower resting potentials than neurons. 
C)  Neurons are myelinated, which contributes to the speed of their return to resting potential. 
D)  Potassium spreads through networks of glial cells, which slows the return to resting potential. 
E)  Calcium waves through glial networks prevent potassium from reentering the glial cells.

Question 12

Explain what spatial buffering is and state one reason this process is beneficial for proper functioning of the nervous system.

Accepted Answer

Spatial buffering is the process by whic

Question 13

The choroid plexus is a group of specialized cells that are responsible for the production of

Accepted Answer

A)  cerebrospinal fluid. 
B)  select neurotransmitters. 
C)  microglia cells. 
D)  myelin sheaths. 
E)  potassium pumps. 
A)  cerebrospinal fluid. 
B)  select neurotransmitters. 
C)  microglia cells. 
D)  myelin sheaths. 
E)  potassium pumps.

Question 14

If a section of neural tissue was placed in a potassium bath, the glial cells would respond to the potassium by being

Accepted Answer

A)  depolarized, and more depolarized than the neurons. 
B)  depolarized, but less depolarized than the neurons. 
C)  completely unaffected by external potassium. 
D)  hyperpolarized, and more hyperpolarized than the neurons. 
E)  hyperpolarized, but less hyperpolarized than the neurons. 
A)  depolarized, and more depolarized than the neurons. 
B)  depolarized, but less depolarized than the neurons. 
C)  completely unaffected by external potassium. 
D)  hyperpolarized, and more hyperpolarized than the neurons. 
E)  hyperpolarized, but less hyperpolarized than the neurons.

Question 15

Glial cells have been found to be the most common source of tumors in the brain. Why might this be?

Accepted Answer

A)  Certain glial cells grow too large. 
B)  Certain glial cells can migrate throughout the CNS. 
C)  Certain glial cells are not susceptible to programmed cell death. 
D)  Certain glial cells can divide. 
E)  Certain glial cells mutate more easily. 
A)  Certain glial cells grow too large. 
B)  Certain glial cells can migrate throughout the CNS. 
C)  Certain glial cells are not susceptible to programmed cell death. 
D)  Certain glial cells can divide. 
E)  Certain glial cells mutate more easily.

Question 16

_______ astrocytes are prevalent in the white matter of the brain, around myelinated nerve fibers, and _______ astrocytes are prevalent in the grey matter of the brain, around cell bodies and synapses.

Accepted Answer

A)  Long; short 
B)  Microglial; Schwann 
C)  Radial; fibrous 
D)  Fibrous; protoplasmic 
E)  Protoplasmic; radial 
A)  Long; short 
B)  Microglial; Schwann 
C)  Radial; fibrous 
D)  Fibrous; protoplasmic 
E)  Protoplasmic; radial

Question 17

High concentrations of water-conducting channels, AQP4, help some glial cells prevent shrinkage of extracellular space by transporting.

Accepted Answer

A)  water from the extracellular space into the glial cells. 
B)  water from the glial cells into the extracellular space. 
C)  sodium between glial cells and the extracellular space. 
D)  water between glial cells and other glial cells. 
E)  sodium between glial cells. 
A)  water from the extracellular space into the glial cells. 
B)  water from the glial cells into the extracellular space. 
C)  sodium between glial cells and the extracellular space. 
D)  water between glial cells and other glial cells. 
E)  sodium between glial cells.

Question 18

Which glial cells move to sites of injury in the brain?

Accepted Answer

A)  Astrocytes 
B)  Schwann cells 
C)  Oligodendrocytes 
D)  Radial glial cells 
E)  Microglial cells 
A)  Astrocytes 
B)  Schwann cells 
C)  Oligodendrocytes 
D)  Radial glial cells 
E)  Microglial cells

Question 19

The main purpose of the blood-brain barrier is to

Accepted Answer

A)  stop the movement of certain molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. 
B)  protect the bloodstream from neuronal debris. 
C)  stop neurotransmitters from passing into the bloodstream. 
D)  prohibit the movement of any molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. 
E)  protect endothelial cells from damage caused by neuronal activity. 
A)  stop the movement of certain molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. 
B)  protect the bloodstream from neuronal debris. 
C)  stop neurotransmitters from passing into the bloodstream. 
D)  prohibit the movement of any molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. 
E)  protect endothelial cells from damage caused by neuronal activity.

Question 20

Transmitters such as glutamate can be released by dying nerve cells in the brain due to injury, which depolarizes nearby glial cells. One consequence of this is glial cells

Accepted Answer

A)  also release glutamate, exacerbating the effect of brain injury. 
B)  release calcium, exacerbating the effect of the brain injury. 
C)  release debris, increasing immune response in the brain. 
D)  fire action potentials, causing deleterious signaling through the brain region. 
E)  die, increasing the volume of the extracellular space. 
A)  also release glutamate, exacerbating the effect of brain injury. 
B)  release calcium, exacerbating the effect of the brain injury. 
C)  release debris, increasing immune response in the brain. 
D)  fire action potentials, causing deleterious signaling through the brain region. 
E)  die, increasing the volume of the extracellular space.

Exam 10: Properties and Functions of Neuroglial Cells

Name two types of glial cells found in the central nervous system and state their major functions.

Networks of glial cells are coupled by gap junctions between cell membranes. This has consequences on the behavior of the cell networks in terms of how they function within the nervous system. Describe one of these consequences.

What is the primary role associated with oligodendrocytes?

Voltage recordings of glial cells during activation of nearby neurons show depolarization of the glia. This is due to

Proper myelination of axons is crucial to prevent disorders. Therefore, an exact amount of a myelin protein, _______ is essential.

Describe at least two physical ways that neurons and glial cells can be contrasted.

Which type of glial cell myelinates axons in the peripheral nervous system?

Glial cells may have immediate effects on synaptic transmission of neurons by

Evidence suggests that glia can be electrically coupled with neurons. Describe the nature of these electrical connections.

Which of the following best describes the mechanism behind the increased oxygen detected by fMRI during brain activity?

Compared to neurons, glial cells that have become depolarized take a relatively long time to return to resting potential. What is one possible reason for this?

Explain what spatial buffering is and state one reason this process is beneficial for proper functioning of the nervous system.

The choroid plexus is a group of specialized cells that are responsible for the production of

If a section of neural tissue was placed in a potassium bath, the glial cells would respond to the potassium by being

Glial cells have been found to be the most common source of tumors in the brain. Why might this be?

_______ astrocytes are prevalent in the white matter of the brain, around myelinated nerve fibers, and _______ astrocytes are prevalent in the grey matter of the brain, around cell bodies and synapses.

High concentrations of water-conducting channels, AQP4, help some glial cells prevent shrinkage of extracellular space by transporting.

Which glial cells move to sites of injury in the brain?

The main purpose of the blood-brain barrier is to

Transmitters such as glutamate can be released by dying nerve cells in the brain due to injury, which depolarizes nearby glial cells. One consequence of this is glial cells

Principles of Signaling and Organization

Signaling in the Visual System

Functional Architecture of the Visual Cortex

Ion Channels and Signaling

Structure of Ion Channels

Ionic Basis of the Resting Potential

Ionic Basis of the Action Potential

Electrical Signaling in Neurons

Ion Transport Across Cell Membranes

Mechanisms of Direct Synaptic Transmission

Indirect Mechanisms of Synaptic Transmission

Release of Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters in the Central Nervous System

Transmitter Synthesis, Storage, Transport, and Inactivation

Synaptic Plasticity

The Molecular and Cellular Biology of Synaptic Plasticity

Mechanisms of Extrasynaptic Communication

Autonomic Nervous System

Walking, Flying, and Swimming: Cellular Mechanisms of Sensorimotor Behavior in Invertebrates

Sensory Transduction

Transduction and Transmission in the Retina

Touch, Pain, and Texture Sensation

Auditory and Vestibular Sensation

Constructing Perception

Initiation and Control of Coordinated Muscular Movements

Development of the Nervous System

Critical Periods in Sensory Systems

Regeneration and Repair of Synaptic Connections After Injury

Appendix

Filters

_ astrocytes are prevalent in the white matter of the brain, around myelinated nerve fibers, and _ astrocytes are prevalent in the grey matter of the brain, around cell bodies and synapses.