Question

1. Draw and describe the following:

a.) Please draw an artistic rendition of neural tissue. Please include a picture of a neuron, the associated glial cells, whether it exists in the CNS or PNS, and label the parts of the cells.

b.) Draw and describe the events that take place in a synapse between two neurons. What neurotransmitter is used? How does this differ from the synapse that takes place between neurons and muscle cells?

c.) Describe and draw a sodium/potassium pump. What type of transport is this? Does it use energy in order to function?

Answer 1

(a)

• Neural tissue is composed of two types of cells, neurons and glial cells.
• Neurons are the cells considered to be the basis of nervous tissue. They are responsible for the computation and communication that the nervous system provides. They are electrically active and release chemical signals to target cells.
• Glial cells such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are known to play a supporting role for nervous tissue. They also play a role in signaling.
• Neurons are important, but without glial support they would not be able to perform their function.