Download The Science Axons are like wires that carry electrical signals

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The Experiment
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Axon Transport
When possible we study neurons in a dish, where the DNA that makes a
protein light up can be injected with a very fine needle using a microinjector
machine (see image to the right). However, we also need to understand
processes, like ageing and disease, that only happen in live animals.
We can do this by inserting the DNA into the genome of mice (which we then
call transgenic mice). These mice are completely healthy and animal work
is regulated to ensure it is ethically justified, carried out by highly trained
staff and fully recorded. In this way, we learn in great detail a lot about
processes that keep our own nerves healthy, and why these sometimes fail.
Microinjector
Our researchers want to understand how we can track molecules and how these molecules are transported.
Why not watch our videos or ask one of the scientists to show you how axon transport occurs?
Try to answer these research questions:
Questions
?
1. Which molecules are transported in axons?
2. How are molecules transported? (can you draw it?)
DID YOU KNOW?
The human brain has
approximately 100
billion neurons.
Neurons are the
oldest and longest
cells in your body.
Axon Images
These images show a swollen axon (in green) next to
an amyloid plaque (red). Amyloid plaques are one of
the telltale signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Inside these
swellings you can see a build up of axonal transport
cargoes such as mitochondria (blue). The experiment on
the next page explains this process further.
TIP
Red = Amyloid plaque
Green = Axons
3. What can happen if molecules in axons are not transported properly?
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Axonal Transport is a process where nerve cells (neurons) transport what they need to survive. We
can study axonal transport using a microscope, which you can find out about in the Imaging Cells
experiment (page 6-7). First we need to make a molecule light up (fluoresce), so we can track and
measure its movement among thousands of other molecules, as well as film them to make movies!
Scientists at the Babraham Institute study how axons transport molecules and which molecular events
can cause loss of axons. We want to avoid losing axons since they’re so important for how nerve cells
communicate!
ONLY OF
Axons are like wires that carry electrical signals between cells in our brains, spinal cords and nerves. We
need them for movement, vision, hearing, thinking, memory, and for controlling lots of involuntary
functions, like breathing and controlling heart rate. During normal ageing, we lose many axons and
this loss is influenced by our genes and the lifestyle we lead. This is why ageing is the biggest single
risk factor for many neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and
Motor Neuron disease.
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The Science
This research station describes a biological process known as axonal transport studied by some researchers
at the Babraham Institute. Axonal transport is essential for axon survival, just like transport along motorways
and railway lines is essential for our country to function and prosper. There are many reasons why Axonal
(or molecular) transport can fail, just as there can be many reasons why a train might not run.
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