Study Guide for Chapter 2

1.       What is the “neuron doctrine?” What scientific tool supplied incontrovertible evidence for this theory?

2.       What three attributes make neurons different from other cells of the body? (You might not find this immediately in your text, so answer with what YOU think.)

3.       You should be able to draw a “typical” neuron and identify the various components. These components are discussed in detail in your text and will also be covered in class. Know them and know what purpose they serve.

4.       What two features distinguish the axon from the soma? What functional differences  occur as the result of these features?

5.       What are axon collaterals? What about recurrent collaterals?

6.       How does the cytoplasm of the axon terminal differ from the cytoplasm of the axon? How does cytosol differ from cytoplasm?

7.       What is axoplasmic transport? You should know the basic difference between fast and slow transport and between anterograde and retrograde transport.

8.       What is a neurite?

9.       Know how neurons are classified according to

          a.       number of neurites (structure)--in class I spoke of both true unipolar and pseudounipolar, you should be familiar with both even though your text doesn't differentiate the two.

          b.       types of connections/information carried (function). In class I discussed the different types of interneurons (local circuit and projection) you should be familiar with these.

We will cover classification according to neurotransmitter type at a later time.

10.     Be able to describe or discuss various supporting cells such as astrocytes, Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, and radial glia.

There is a list of key terms on pages 48 and 49 of your text. You should be able to discuss any and all of these.

There are review questions on page 49 of your text. You should answer all of these.