Question 1

Which statement about glial communication is most true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Glial cells and glial precursor cells cannot fire action potentials. 
B)  Only glial precursor cells can fire action potentials. 
C)  All glial cells and glial precursor cells can fire action potentials. 
D)  Only mature glial cells can fire action potentials. 
E)  Only astrocytes can fire action potentials. 
A)  Glial cells and glial precursor cells cannot fire action potentials. 
B)  Only glial precursor cells can fire action potentials. 
C)  All glial cells and glial precursor cells can fire action potentials. 
D)  Only mature glial cells can fire action potentials. 
E)  Only astrocytes can fire action potentials.

Question 2

You are provided with a slide of cells taken from an adult CNS and must label which are neurons and which are glial cells. What is one way to tell them apart?

Accepted Answer

A)  Glial cells have axons that are longer and wider than those of neurons. 
B)  Glial cells do not have axons. 
C)  Glial cells have axons that are longer and thinner than those of neurons. 
D)  Glial cells have axons, but not dendrites. 
E)  There are no "rule of thumb" ways to tell glial cells from neurons. 
A)  Glial cells have axons that are longer and wider than those of neurons. 
B)  Glial cells do not have axons. 
C)  Glial cells have axons that are longer and thinner than those of neurons. 
D)  Glial cells have axons, but not dendrites. 
E)  There are no "rule of thumb" ways to tell glial cells from neurons.

Question 3

Binding proteins that facilitate the cooperative creation of myelin sheaths and nodes of Ranvier are called

Accepted Answer

A)  neurotransmitters. 
B)  potassium channels. 
C)  ankyrins. 
D)  neurotrophins. 
E)  connexons. 
A)  neurotransmitters. 
B)  potassium channels. 
C)  ankyrins. 
D)  neurotrophins. 
E)  connexons.

Question 4

Ependymal cells derive from which type of cell?

Accepted Answer

A)  Radial glial cells 
B)  Schwann cells 
C)  Microglia 
D)  Astrocytes 
E)  NG2 cells 
A)  Radial glial cells 
B)  Schwann cells 
C)  Microglia 
D)  Astrocytes 
E)  NG2 cells

Question 5

Glial cells responsible for responding to injury rely on the accumulation of which substance to spur their movement?

Accepted Answer

A)  glutamate 
B)  potassium 
C)  ATP 
D)  calcium 
E)  adenosine 
A)  glutamate 
B)  potassium 
C)  ATP 
D)  calcium 
E)  adenosine

Question 6

_______ have been shown to occupy denervated motor end plates, releasing packets of _______ to produce potentials in muscles.

Accepted Answer

A)  Oligodendrocytes; potassium 
B)  Microglia; glutamate 
C)  Astrocytes; ATP 
D)  NG2 cells; calcium 
E)  Schwann cells; ACh 
A)  Oligodendrocytes; potassium 
B)  Microglia; glutamate 
C)  Astrocytes; ATP 
D)  NG2 cells; calcium 
E)  Schwann cells; ACh

Question 7

First described as "nerve glue," glial cells have since been shown to be essential components of a functioning nervous system. Briefly describe at least two essential glial cell functions.

Accepted Answer

Glial cells are responsible for clearing

Question 8

Some important discoveries about the roles and functions of glial cells have come about due to the ability to observe them in vivo (alive). Explain one reason why studying live cells can be advantageous to studying dead cells.

Accepted Answer

Studying live cells allows you to observ

Question 9

What is one consequence of the CNS having an immune response separate from the rest of the body?

Accepted Answer

It protects the delicate balan

Question 10

Certain glial cells can serve as an immune system for the brain. One way these cells can accomplish this is through their ability to

Accepted Answer

A)  hyperpolarize other glial cells. 
B)  send action potentials. 
C)  release ATP. 
D)  communicate with other glial cells, neurons, and immune cells. 
E)  myelinate axons. 
A)  hyperpolarize other glial cells. 
B)  send action potentials. 
C)  release ATP. 
D)  communicate with other glial cells, neurons, and immune cells. 
E)  myelinate axons.

Question 11

Depolarization of glial cells largely involves the transport of _______ ions across the cell membrane.

Accepted Answer

A)  calcium 
B)  sodium 
C)  potassium 
D)  oxygen 
E)  chlorine 
A)  calcium 
B)  sodium 
C)  potassium 
D)  oxygen 
E)  chlorine

Question 12

You observe two groups of mice. One group exhibits normal behavior while the other group is clumsy and exhibits marked tremors or trembling. What is the most likely reason for the difference in behavior between the two groups of mice?

Accepted Answer

A)  The trembling mice have fewer neurons than the normal mice. 
B)  The trembling mice have improper myelination compared to the normal mice. 
C)  The trembling mice have glial cells that are less connected to one another than the normal mice. 
D)  The trembling mice have more potassium channels in their glial cells than the normal mice. 
E)  The trembling mice have less microglial cells than the normal mice. 
A)  The trembling mice have fewer neurons than the normal mice. 
B)  The trembling mice have improper myelination compared to the normal mice. 
C)  The trembling mice have glial cells that are less connected to one another than the normal mice. 
D)  The trembling mice have more potassium channels in their glial cells than the normal mice. 
E)  The trembling mice have less microglial cells than the normal mice.

Question 13

Waves of _______ ions can propagate through glial cell networks, triggering the release of _______ through channels along the glial cell membrane.

Accepted Answer

A)  sodium; potassium 
B)  calcium; potassium 
C)  ATP; sodium 
D)  calcium; ATP 
E)  sodium; ATP 
A)  sodium; potassium 
B)  calcium; potassium 
C)  ATP; sodium 
D)  calcium; ATP 
E)  sodium; ATP

Question 14

Glial cells have been found to release a number of possible transmitters in various situations. Provide one example of a transmitter that can be released by glial cells, as well as the presumed purpose of this release.

Accepted Answer

Astrocytes secrete ATP, which

Question 15

Greater depolarization of the end foot of certain glial cells in response to neuron stimulation suggests that there is a higher concentration of

Accepted Answer

A)  AQP4 channels in the end foot. 
B)  of calcium channels in the end foot. 
C)  potassium ions in the end foot. 
D)  axons near the end foot. 
E)  potassium channels in the end foot. 
A)  AQP4 channels in the end foot. 
B)  of calcium channels in the end foot. 
C)  potassium ions in the end foot. 
D)  axons near the end foot. 
E)  potassium channels in the end foot.

Question 16

Which of the following is true about NG2 cells in the developing nervous system?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are precursors to both astrocytes and radial glial cells. 
B)  They are precursors to both oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. 
C)  They cannot produce action potentials. 
D)  They are of mesodermal origin. 
E)  They are precursors to both oligodendrocytes and radial glial cells. 
A)  They are precursors to both astrocytes and radial glial cells. 
B)  They are precursors to both oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. 
C)  They cannot produce action potentials. 
D)  They are of mesodermal origin. 
E)  They are precursors to both oligodendrocytes and radial glial cells.

Question 17

Myelination of axons requires precise spacing of nodes, adequate seals between the myelin sheaths and axon, and proper distributions of sodium and potassium pumps at the nodes. Describe why such a delicate balance is necessary for an adequate increase in the velocity of conductance along the axon.

Accepted Answer

Without this precise balance, action pot

Exam 10: Properties and Functions of Neuroglial Cells

Which statement about glial communication is most true?

You are provided with a slide of cells taken from an adult CNS and must label which are neurons and which are glial cells. What is one way to tell them apart?

Binding proteins that facilitate the cooperative creation of myelin sheaths and nodes of Ranvier are called

Ependymal cells derive from which type of cell?

Glial cells responsible for responding to injury rely on the accumulation of which substance to spur their movement?

_______ have been shown to occupy denervated motor end plates, releasing packets of _______ to produce potentials in muscles.

First described as "nerve glue," glial cells have since been shown to be essential components of a functioning nervous system. Briefly describe at least two essential glial cell functions.

Some important discoveries about the roles and functions of glial cells have come about due to the ability to observe them in vivo (alive). Explain one reason why studying live cells can be advantageous to studying dead cells.

What is one consequence of the CNS having an immune response separate from the rest of the body?

Certain glial cells can serve as an immune system for the brain. One way these cells can accomplish this is through their ability to

Depolarization of glial cells largely involves the transport of _______ ions across the cell membrane.

You observe two groups of mice. One group exhibits normal behavior while the other group is clumsy and exhibits marked tremors or trembling. What is the most likely reason for the difference in behavior between the two groups of mice?

Waves of _______ ions can propagate through glial cell networks, triggering the release of _______ through channels along the glial cell membrane.

Glial cells have been found to release a number of possible transmitters in various situations. Provide one example of a transmitter that can be released by glial cells, as well as the presumed purpose of this release.

Greater depolarization of the end foot of certain glial cells in response to neuron stimulation suggests that there is a higher concentration of

Which of the following is true about NG2 cells in the developing nervous system?

Myelination of axons requires precise spacing of nodes, adequate seals between the myelin sheaths and axon, and proper distributions of sodium and potassium pumps at the nodes. Describe why such a delicate balance is necessary for an adequate increase in the velocity of conductance along the axon.

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

_ have been shown to occupy denervated motor end plates, releasing packets of _ to produce potentials in muscles.

Waves of _ ions can propagate through glial cell networks, triggering the release of _ through channels along the glial cell membrane.