Microscopic Human Structural Biology

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Neuron (Parenchyma)

Two Major Divisions of the Nervous System Neuron – functional unit of the nervoustissue

1. Central Nervous System (CNS) - exteroceptive

a. Brain Classification of Neurons According to Number of
b. Spinal Cord Process:
Gray matter and White matter 1. Unipolar or Pseudounipolar Neurons
Gray Matter White Matter - With single process
Perikaryon Processes and 2. Bipolar Neurons
- With one axon and one dendrite
supporting cells
- Found in : retina, cochlear gland, vestibular gland
Appears grey Appears white
and olfactory epithelium
because of nuclei because of myelin
3. Multipolar Neurons
sheath
- With one axon and two or more dendrites
Don’t have extended Has extended axons
4. Anaxonic Neurons
axons - With many dendrites but without true
axon
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - interoceptive According to Function:
a. Cranial Nerves 1. Motor Neurons
b. Spinal Nerves - Efferent
c. Peripheral Nerves - Sends impulses
d. Ganglia 2. Sensory Neurons
- Afferent
Characteristics of neurons’ protoplasm - receives stimuli
1.
Irritability – ability to respond tostimuli 3. Interneuron Neurons
(physical and chemical)
2. - Forms complex functional networks or circuits
Conductivity – ability to transmitsignals

Parts of Neuron:
Development
A. Cell body (Perikaryon) Nucleus
Neurulation – embryonic process by whichcells of the CNS
 euchromatic(metabolically
and PNS are initially produced
rd active)
- Starts at the 3 week of embryonic  Well - developed nucleus
development  mononucleated
Ectoderm → neural plate → neural fold →neural groove  Centered nucleus
→ neural tube → neural crest

Nissl substance or bodies Axon


Large masses of free polysomes and Axolemma
RER
- Plasma membrane of the axon
 Indicates high rate of protein synthesis
Axoplasm
*Chromatolysis occurs when Nissl bodies move on the lateral. - Contents of the axon
This is caused by the infection and toxicity of the cell.

Axon hillock
- Pyramid – shaped region of the perikaryon
- Contains various ion channel for signal initiation
 Microscopic Human Structural Biology

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Terminal boutons - Propagated along the axon
- Small swellings at the end of the axon - Depolarization produced by the voltage gated Na+
Dendrites and K+ channels in the axolemma
- Principle signal reception and processing
sites on neurons Synaptic Communication
- Highly branched
Presynaptic cell (electrical signal)→Postsynaptic cell
Synapse (chemical signal)
- Interneuron connection
- Ensures transmission is Types of Synapse
Unidirectional

1. Axosomatic synapse
Connection: axon →cell body
*Synaptic clef – gap between pre synapse and post synapse

2. Axodendritic synapse
Myelin sheath
Connection: axon →dendrite
- Covering of the axon
- Acts as an insulator
Nodes of Ranvier 3. Axoaxonic synapse
- Nodes between myelin sheaths that is essential for Connection: axon →axon
faster conduction of
nerve impulses Glial Cells (Stroma)

Neuropil – processes emerging from neurons and glial cells

*Salutatory – Nerve Conduction (jumpingof transmission)
Neuroglia
Axonal Transport
Direction: Macroglia
Anterograde o Astrocyte
Perikaryon→terminal - Most numerous glial cells of the
Away from the body CNS
Motor Protein: Kinesin
*Glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)– intermediate
Organelles and neurotransmitters
filaments which serves as a unique marker for astrocytes
Retrograde
Synapse →terminal Types:
Going to the body Fibrous Astrocytes
Motor Protein: Dynein - Typical in white matter
Toxins, viruses Protoplasmic Astrocytes
Speed: - Predominates the gray matter o
Slow Axonal Transport Oligodendrocytes
Carries cytoskeletal elements
- white because of lipid concentrated in the
Fast Axonal Transport
wrapped membrane sheath
Carries membrane- bound organelles o Schwann Cells o Microglia
Nerve Impulses Microglia
- small cells with short irregular processes
Nerve impulse or action potential –anelectro chemical process
- secretes immunoregulatory cytokines
intiated on the axon hillock.
- major mechanism of immune defense in
the CNS
- Origin: Circulating blood monocytes
 Microscopic Human Structural Biology

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Nerve Organization
Ependymal Cells 1. Endoneurium
- Columnar or cuboidal cells that lines the ventricles -outermost layer
of the brains and central canal of the spinal cord - made of reticular fibers, scattered
fibroblast and capilliaries
- Dense irregular connective tissue

CNS PNS Function

2. Perineurium
Oligodendrocytes Schwann cells Myelin
-with fibrocytes sealed by tight junctions -
production
or Neurolemmocytes Dense irregular connective tissue

Astrocyte Satellite Cells Structural and

3. Epineurium
metabolic
-Fills the space between fascicles -
(Blood- brain barrier) support
Loose connective tissue

Ganglia
Pyramidal Cells
- Shape: pear with apical dendrite - Relay stations to transmit nerve impulses
- Found in: Cerebrum
Spinal Ganglia

Purkinje Cells - Sensory functions

- Shape: flask-like - Fusiform, pseudounipolar
- Found in: Cerebrum - Found in: dorsal root of the spine
 Autonomic Ganglia Arachnoid

- Motor functions - Sheet of connective tissue

Preganglionic fibers – located in the CNS - Collagen and fibroblast

Postganglionic fibers – peripheral ganglion System *Space between arachnoid and pia mater:
subarachnoid space (filled with CSF)

Autonomic Nervous System: Pia Mater

1. Sympathetic - Separates CNS from CSF

2. Parasympathetic - Covered by ependyma

Meninges Blood- Brain Barrier

- Main structural component: capillary

endothelium
Dura mater → Arachnoid → Pia mater
→Blood- brain barrier → Choroid Plexus - Protect neurons and glial from

bacterial toxins and infectious

agents.
Dura Mater

- Dense Fibroelastic connective tissue Choroid Plexus

*Space between dura mater and arachnoid: - Removes water from blood and
subdural space release it as CSF