Glial Cell Case Study

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1. Describe the structure and functions of different kinds of glial cells.
Glia cells are like the “glue”, they support the neurons of the Nervous system by holding them together.
• Astrocytes- “star shaped”, wraps around the presynaptic terminal of functionally related axons, supports the blood brain barrier, provides nutrients, and repairs scar tissue
• Microglia- act as part of the immune system, remove waste material and viruses and fungi from the brain
• Oligodendrocyte- forms myelin sheath in the central nervous system cells, won’t repair damaged axons, exists in the CNS
• Shwaan cells- form myelin sheath outside of the central nervous system and therefore exists in the peripheral nervous system will repair damaged axons.
• Radial …show more content…

It’s a temporary depolarization of postsynaptic membrane potential, caused by the flow of positively charged ions into the postsynaptic cell as a result of opening ligand-gated ion channels. An IPSP is an inhibitory postsynaptic potential synaptic potential that makes a neuron less likely to generate an action potential. An IPSP occurs when synaptic input selectively opens the gates for potassium ions to leave the cell (carrying a positive charge with them) or for chloride ions to enter the cell (carrying a negative charge). IPSP’s result from the flow of negative ions into the cell, known as hyperpolarization.
5. Describe the role of vesicle and calcium (C++) in the release of transmitter.
The presynaptic terminal stores high concentrations of neurotransmitter molecules in vesicles, which are tiny nearly spherical packets. These molecules are then released by depolarization. Depolarization opens voltage-dependent calcium gates in the presynaptic terminal. After calcium enters the terminal, it causes exocytosis, which is the burst of release of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic neuron. After its release from the presynaptic cell, the neurotransmitter diffuses across the synaptic cleft to the postsynaptic membrane, where it attaches to the receptor.
6. What are the differences between ionotropic and metabotropic

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