Brain and Behavior - Neurons and Glia

Weekly exercise classes: A special event with live drummers is scheduled for the upcoming Sunday.
Leadership training: Students can sign up for a leadership training overview happening after the exercise class.
Lab sessions: The first lab sessions will be held on Thursday and Friday, led by Eric, Hellena, and Sarah.
Blackboard: Students are encouraged to download all necessary files from Blackboard.

Purpose of choosing the course: Students shared their reasons for taking the course, discussing interests in various neuroscience topics including:
- Social interactions in primates
- Music and its relation to the brain
- Sleep, dreams, and memory evocation through smell
- The phenomenon of déjà vu

Cellular components: All cells, including neurons and glia, contain a cell membrane, a cell body, and a nucleus with DNA.
- Cell membrane: The protective barrier that encloses the cell.
- Cell body: The part of the cell that contains the nucleus and other organelles necessary for the cell's functioning.
- Nucleus: Contains DNA, which holds the genetic information necessary for the production of proteins vital for cell functioning.
Mitochondria: Essential for energy production in cells.
- Energy production: Mitochondria are known as the "powerhouses" of the cell, responsible for producing energy through the synthesis of ATP, which fuels cellular processes.

Santiago Ramón y Cajal and Camillo Golgi: Their contributions to neuroscience and their differing theories on the organization of the nervous system were discussed.
Nobel Prize 1906: Awarded to Cajal and Golgi for their work on the Golgi staining technique and understanding the nervous system's organizational principles.

Multipolar neurons
- Structure: Characterized by having one axon and multiple dendrites extending from the cell body.
- Location: Commonly found in the cortex.
Bipolar and unipolar neurons
- Bipolar neurons: Have one axon and one dendrite extending from the cell body.
- Unipolar neurons: Possess a single extension that branches into two, functioning as both an axon and a dendrite.
Pyramidal cells
- Subtype of multipolar neurons: Specifically found in the neocortex, characterized by a pyramid-shaped cell body.

Nissl stain: Used to visualize cell bodies and study the architecture of different cortical areas.
Broadman and von Economo: Their approaches to brain mapping and the adoption of Broadman's area classification in modern neuroscience were discussed.

Protection and support: Glial cells protect neurons and aid in damage control and debris removal in the brain.
Astrocytes and microglia: Their functions in responding to brain injuries and breaking down debris were explained.
- Astrocytes: These cells nourish and support neurons, also playing a role in damage control by scavenging debris and swelling in response to injuries, which can sometimes lead to harmful brain edema.
- Microglia: Responsible for breaking down debris, especially post-brain damage, aiding in maintaining the health of the brain.
Tumor formation: Glial cells can sometimes malfunction, leading to the formation of brain tumors.

Myelin: A fatty substance produced by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells, wrapping around axons to facilitate faster transmission of action potentials (faster signal transmission).
Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in the myelin sheath where action potentials (electrical signals) jump to, allowing for faster electrical signal transmission down the axon.
Myelin sheath: Seen at a higher magnification, showcasing its layered structure providing insulation for the axon.
Mitochondria: Highlighted within the axon, emphasizing its presence in all cell types.
Myelinated and unmyelinated axons: Differentiated based on their speed of conduction and their grouping within a myelin sheath.

Upcoming topics: The next three lectures, focusing on core concepts for the first exam, will delve deep into neuroscience.
Reading assignment: Students are advised to read the chapter on electrical and chemical synaptic transmission before the next class to be well-prepared for the dense material.
Next lecture: Will cover hardcore neuroscience topics, urging students to come prepared.