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Chapter 48 Nervous Systems PowerPoint Lectures for Biology, Seventh Edition Neil Campbell and Jane Reece Lectures by Chris Romero Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Overview: Command and Control Center • The human brain – Contains an estimated 100 billion nerve cells, or neurons • Each neuron – May communicate with thousands of other neurons Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Concept 48.1: Nervous systems consist of circuits of neurons and supporting cells • All animals except sponges – Have some type of nervous system • What distinguishes the nervous systems of different animal groups – Is how the neurons are organized into circuits Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Organization of Nervous Systems • The simplest animals with nervous systems, the cnidarians – Have neurons arranged in nerve nets Nerve net Figure 48.2a (a) Hydra (cnidarian) Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Sea stars have a nerve net in each arm – Connected by radial nerves to a central nerve ring Radial nerve Nerve ring Figure 48.2b (b) Sea star (echinoderm) Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • In relatively simple cephalized animals, such as flatworms – A central nervous system (CNS) is evident Eyespot Brain Nerve cord Transverse nerve Figure 48.2c (c) Planarian (flatworm) Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Annelids and arthropods – Have segmentally arranged clusters of neurons called ganglia • These ganglia connect to the CNS – And make up a peripheral nervous system (PNS) Brain Brain Ventral nerve cord Segmental ganglia Segmental ganglion Figure 48.2d, e Ventral nerve cord (d) Leech (annelid) Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings (e) Insect (arthropod) • In vertebrates – The central nervous system consists of a brain and dorsal spinal cord – The PNS connects to the CNS Brain Spinal cord (dorsal nerve cord) Figure 48.2h Sensory ganglion (h) Salamander (chordate) Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Information Processing • Nervous systems process information in three stages – Sensory input, integration, and motor output Sensory input Integration Sensor Motor output Effector Figure 48.3 Peripheral nervous system (PNS) Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Central nervous system (CNS) • Sensory neurons transmit information from sensors – That detect external stimuli and internal conditions • Sensory information is sent to the CNS – Where interneurons integrate the information • Motor output leaves the CNS via motor neurons – Which communicate with effector cells Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • The three stages of information processing – Are illustrated in the knee-jerk reflex 2 Sensors detect a sudden stretch in the quadriceps. 3 Sensory neurons convey the information to the spinal cord. Cell body of sensory neuron in dorsal root ganglion 4 The sensory neurons communicate with motor neurons that supply the quadriceps. The motor neurons convey signals to the quadriceps, causing it to contract and jerking the lower leg forward. Gray matter 5 Sensory neurons from the quadriceps also communicate with interneurons in the spinal cord. Quadriceps muscle White matter Hamstring muscle Spinal cord (cross section) Sensory neuron Motor neuron Figure 48.4 1 The reflex is initiated by tapping the tendon connected to the quadriceps (extensor) muscle. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Interneuron 6 The interneurons inhibit motor neurons that supply the hamstring (flexor) muscle. This inhibition prevents the hamstring from contracting, which would resist the action of the quadriceps. Neuron Structure • Most of a neuron’s organelles – Are located in the cell body Dendrites Cell body Nucleus Synapse Signal Axon direction Axon hillock Presynaptic cell Postsynaptic cell Myelin sheath Figure 48.5 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Synaptic terminals • Most neurons have dendrites – Highly branched extensions that receive signals from other neurons • The axon is typically a much longer extension – That transmits signals to other cells at synapses – That may be covered with a myelin sheath Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Neurons have a wide variety of shapes – That reflect their input and output interactions Dendrites Axon Cell body Figure 48.6a–c (a) Sensory neuron Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings (b) Interneurons (c) Motor neuron Supporting Cells (Glia) • Glia are supporting cells – That are essential for the structural integrity of the nervous system and for the normal functioning of neurons Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • In the CNS, astrocytes Figure 48.7 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings 50 µm – Provide structural support for neurons and regulate the extracellular concentrations of ions and neurotransmitters • Oligodendrocytes (in the CNS) and Schwann cells (in the PNS) – Are glia that form the myelin sheaths around the axons of many vertebrate neurons Node of Ranvier Layers of myelin Axon Schwann cell Axon Myelin sheath Nodes of Ranvier Schwann cell Nucleus of Schwann cell Figure 48.8 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings 0.1 µm • Concept 48.2: Ion pumps and ion channels maintain the resting potential of a neuron • Across its plasma membrane, every cell has a voltage – Called a membrane potential • The inside of a cell is negative – Relative to the outside Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • The membrane potential of a cell can be measured APPLICATION TECHNIQUE Microelectrode –70 mV Voltage recorder Figure 48.9 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Reference electrode The Resting Potential • The resting potential – Is the membrane potential of a neuron that is not transmitting signals (-70 mV) Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • In all neurons, the resting potential – Depends on the ionic gradients that exist across the plasma membrane EXTRACELLULAR FLUID CYTOSOL [Na+] 15 mM – + [Na+] 150 mM [K+] 150 mM – + [K+] 5 mM – + [Cl–] 10 mM – [Cl–] + 120 mM [A–] 100 mM – + Organic anions like charged Amino acids. Figure 48.10 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Plasma membrane • The concentration of Na+ is higher in the extracellular fluid than in the cytosol – While the opposite is true for K+ Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • By modeling a mammalian neuron with an artificial membrane – We can gain a better understanding of the resting potential of a neuron Outer chamber –92 mV +62 mV + – 150 mM KCL 5 mM KCL + Cl– Artificial membrane – + – Figure 48.11a, b (a) Membrane selectively permeable to K+ Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Outer chamber – 150 mM NaCl 15 mM NaCl Cl– K+ Potassium channel Inner chamber + Inner chamber + – Sodium + channel – Na+ (b) Membrane selectively permeable to Na+ • A neuron that is not transmitting signals – Contains many open K+ channels and fewer open Na+ channels in its plasma membrane • The diffusion of K+ and Na+ through these channels – Leads to a separation of charges across the membrane, producing the resting potential Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Gated Ion Channels • Gated ion channels open or close – In response to membrane stretch or the binding of a specific ligand (molecule that binds to receptor site of another molecule) – In response to a change in the membrane potential Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Concept 48.3: Action potentials are the signals conducted by axons • If a cell has gated ion channels – Its membrane potential may change in response to stimuli that open or close those channels Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Some stimuli trigger a hyperpolarization – An increase in the magnitude of the membrane Stimuli potential Membrane potential (mV) +50 0 –50 Threshold Resting potential Hyperpolarizations –100 0 1 2 3 4 5 Time (msec) (a) Graded hyperpolarizations produced by two stimuli that increase membrane permeability to K+. The larger stimulus produces Figure 48.12a a larger hyperpolarization. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Other stimuli trigger a depolarization – A reduction in the magnitude of the membrane Stimuli potential Membrane potential (mV) +50 0 –50 Threshold Resting Depolarizations potential –100 0 1 2 3 4 5 Time (msec) (b) Graded depolarizations produced by two stimuli that increase membrane permeability to Na+. The larger stimulus produces a Figure 48.12b larger depolarization. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • A stimulus strong enough to produce a depolarization that reaches the threshold – Triggers a different type of response, called an Stronger depolarizing stimulus action potential Membrane potential (mV) +50 Action potential 0 –50 Threshold Resting potential –100 Figure 48.12c 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time (msec) (c) Action potential triggered by a depolarization that reaches the threshold. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • An action potential – Is a brief all-or-none depolarization of a neuron’s plasma membrane – Is the type of signal that carries information along axons Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Both voltage-gated Na+ channels and voltagegated K+ channels – Are involved in the production of an action potential • When a stimulus depolarizes the membrane – Na+ channels open, allowing Na+ to diffuse into the cell Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • As the action potential subsides – K+ channels open, and K+ flows out of the cell • A refractory period follows the action potential – During which a second action potential cannot be initiated Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • The generation of an action potential Na+ Na+ – – – – – – – – + + + + + + + + K+ Rising phase of the action potential Depolarization opens the activation gates on most Na+ channels, while the K+ channels’ activation gates remain closed. Na+ influx makes the inside of the membrane positive with respect to the outside. Na+ + + + + – – – – +50 + + – – K+ – – –50 Na+ + + + + + + + + + + – – – – – – – – 3 2 4 Threshold 5 1 1 Resting potential Na+ Potassium channel + + Activation gates + + + + – – – – + + + + – – – – + + K+ – – – – – – – – Cytosol – – Sodium channel 1 Na+ + + Plasma membrane Figure 48.13 Falling phase of the action potential The inactivation gates on most Na+ channels close, blocking Na+ influx. The activation gates on most K+ channels open, permitting K+ efflux which again makes the inside of the cell negative. Time Depolarization A stimulus opens the activation gates on some Na+ channels. Na+ influx through those channels depolarizes the membrane. If the depolarization reaches the threshold, it triggers an action potential. Extracellular fluid + + Action potential 0 –100 2 + + 4 Na+ + + + + K+ Membrane potential (mV) 3 Na+ Na+ – – K+ – – Inactivation gate Resting state The activation gates on the Na+ and K+ channels are closed, and the membrane’s resting potential is maintained. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings 5 Undershoot Both gates of the Na+ channels are closed, but the activation gates on some K+ channels are still open. As these gates close on most K+ channels, and the inactivation gates open on Na+ channels, the membrane returns to its resting state. Conduction of Action Potentials • An action potential can travel long distances – By regenerating itself along the axon Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • At the site where the action potential is generated, usually the axon hillock – An electrical current depolarizes the neighboring region of the axon membrane Axon Action potential – – + ++ Na + + – – K+ + + – – – – + + K+ Figure 48.14 + – – + + – – + + + + + + + – – + – – + – – + – – + – – + – – + + – – + + – – + Action potential – + Na – + + + + – – K+ + + – – – – + + K+ + – – + Action potential – – + ++ Na + + – – – + + – 1 An action potential is generated as Na+ flows inward across the membrane at one location. 2 The depolarization of the action potential spreads to the neighboring region of the membrane, re-initiating the action potential there. To the left of this region, the membrane is repolarizing as K+ flows outward. 3 The depolarization-repolarization process is repeated in the next region of the membrane. In this way, local currents of ions across the plasma membrane cause the action potential to be propagated along the length of the axon. + – – + – + + – Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Conduction Speed • The speed of an action potential – Increases with the diameter of an axon • In vertebrates, axons are myelinated – Also causing the speed of an action potential to increase Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Action potentials in myelinated axons – Jump between the nodes of Ranvier in a process called saltatory conduction Schwann cell Depolarized region (node of Ranvier) Myelin sheath –– – Cell body + ++ + ++ ––– –– – + + Axon + ++ –– – Figure 48.15 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Concept 48.4: Neurons communicate with other cells at synapses • In an electrical synapse – Electrical current flows directly from one cell to another via a gap junction • The vast majority of synapses – Are chemical synapses Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • In a chemical synapse, a presynaptic neuron – Releases chemical neurotransmitters, which are stored in the synaptic terminal Postsynaptic neuron 5 µm Synaptic terminal of presynaptic neurons Figure 48.16 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • When an action potential reaches a terminal – The final result is the release of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft Postsynaptic cell Presynaptic cell Synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitter 5 Presynaptic membrane Na+ K+ Neurotransmitter Postsynaptic membrane Ligandgated ion channel Voltage-gated Ca2+ channel 1 Ca2+ 4 2 3 Synaptic cleft Figure 48.17 Ligand-gated ion channels Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Postsynaptic membrane 6 • Neurotransmitter binding – Causes the ion channels to open, generating a postsynaptic potential Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Postsynaptic potentials fall into two categories – Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) – Inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Summation of Postsynaptic Potentials • Unlike action potentials – Postsynaptic potentials are graded and do not regenerate themselves Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Since most neurons have many synapses on their dendrites and cell body – A single EPSP is usually too small to trigger an action potential in a postsynaptic neuron Terminal branch of presynaptic neuron Membrane potential (mV) Postsynaptic neuron Figure 48.18a E1 Threshold of axon of postsynaptic neuron 0 Resting potential –70 E1 E1 (a) Subthreshold, no summation Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • If two EPSPs are produced in rapid succession – An effect called temporal summation occurs E1 Axon hillock Action potential E1 E1 (b) Temporal summation Figure 48.18b Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • In spatial summation – EPSPs produced nearly simultaneously by different synapses on the same postsynaptic neuron add together E E2 1 Action potential E1 + E2 (c) Spatial summation Figure 48.18c Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Through summation – An IPSP can counter the effect of an EPSP E1 I E1 Figure 48.18d I E1 + I (d) Spatial summation of EPSP and IPSP Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Indirect Synaptic Transmission • In indirect synaptic transmission – A neurotransmitter binds to a receptor that is not part of an ion channel • This binding activates a signal transduction pathway – Involving a second messenger in the postsynaptic cell, producing a slowly developing but long-lasting effect Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Neurotransmitters • The same neurotransmitter – Can produce different effects in different types of cells Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Major neurotransmitters Table 48.1 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Gases • Gases such as nitric oxide and carbon monoxide – Are local regulators in the PNS Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Concept 48.5: The vertebrate nervous system is regionally specialized • In all vertebrates, the nervous system – Shows a high degree of cephalization and distinct CNS and PNS components Central nervous system (CNS) Brain Spinal cord Peripheral nervous system (PNS) Cranial nerves Ganglia outside CNS Spinal nerves Figure 48.19 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • The brain provides the integrative power – That underlies the complex behavior of vertebrates • The spinal cord integrates simple responses to certain kinds of stimuli – And conveys information to and from the brain Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings The Peripheral Nervous System • The PNS transmits information to and from the CNS – And plays a large role in regulating a vertebrate’s movement and internal environment Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • The cranial nerves originate in the brain – And terminate mostly in organs of the head and upper body • The spinal nerves originate in the spinal cord – And extend to parts of the body below the head Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • The PNS can be divided into two functional components – The somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system Peripheral nervous system Somatic nervous system Autonomic nervous system Sympathetic division Figure 48.21 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Parasympathetic division Enteric division • The somatic nervous system – Carries signals to skeletal muscles • The autonomic nervous system – Regulates the internal environment, in an involuntary manner – Is divided into the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric divisions Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions – Have antagonistic effects on target organs Parasympathetic division Sympathetic division Action on target organs: Location of preganglionic neurons: brainstem and sacral segments of spinal cord Neurotransmitter released by preganglionic neurons: acetylcholine Action on target organs: Dilates pupil of eye Constricts pupil of eye Inhibits salivary gland secretion Stimulates salivary gland secretion Constricts bronchi in lungs Sympathetic ganglia Cervical Accelerates heart Slows heart Location of postganglionic neurons: in ganglia close to or within target organs Stimulates activity of stomach and intestines Stimulates gallbladder Thoracic Inhibits activity of pancreas Stimulates glucose release from liver; inhibits gallbladder Promotes emptying of bladder Figure 48.22 Location of postganglionic neurons: some in ganglia close to target organs; others in a chain of ganglia near spinal cord Lumbar Stimulates adrenal medulla Promotes erection of genitalia Neurotransmitter released by preganglionic neurons: acetylcholine Inhibits activity of stomach and intestines Stimulates activity of pancreas Neurotransmitter released by postganglionic neurons: acetylcholine Relaxes bronchi in lungs Location of preganglionic neurons: thoracic and lumbar segments of spinal cord Inhibits emptying of bladder Synapse Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Sacral Promotes ejaculation and vaginal contractions Neurotransmitter released by postganglionic neurons: norepinephrine • The sympathetic division – Correlates with the “fight-or-flight” response • The parasympathetic division – Promotes a return to self-maintenance functions • The enteric division – Controls the activity of the digestive tract, pancreas, and gallbladder Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Embryonic Development of the Brain • In all vertebrates – The brain develops from three embryonic regions: the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain Embryonic brain regions Forebrain Midbrain Hindbrain Midbrain Hindbrain Forebrain Figure 48.23a Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings (a) Embryo at one month • By the fifth week of human embryonic development – Five brain regions have formed from the three embryonic regions Embryonic brain regions Telencephalon Diencephalon Mesencephalon Metencephalon Myelencephalon Mesencephalon Metencephalon Diencephalon Myelencephalon Spinal cord Telencephalon Figure 48.23b Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings (b) Embryo at five weeks Forebrain Telencephalon The Cerebrum • The cerebrum - Is the cerebral cortex, where sensory information is analyzed, motor commands are issued, and language is generated Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • The cerebrum has right and left cerebral hemispheres • A thick band of axons, the corpus callosum – Provides communication between the right and left cerebral cortices Left cerebral hemisphere Right cerebral hemisphere Corpus callosum Neocortex Figure 48.26 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Basal nuclei Forebrain The Diencephalon • The embryonic diencephalon develops into three adult brain regions – The epithalamus, thalamus, and hypothalamus Sensory, feeling, etc.. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Midbrain Mesencephalon Midbrain Hindbrain Metencephalon pons H Myelencephalon medulla oblongata • The brainstem consists of three parts – The medulla oblongata, the pons, and the midbrain Controls viceral function and some sensory info. Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Hindbrain Myelencephalon The Cerebellum • The cerebellum – Is important for coordination and error checking during motor, perceptual, and cognitive functions –Is also involved in learning and rememberin g motor skills Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Concept 48.6: The cerebral cortex controls voluntary movement and cognitive functions • Each side of the cerebral cortex has four lobes – Frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital Frontal lobe Parietal lobe Speech Frontal association area Taste Speech Smell Somatosensory association area Reading Hearing Auditory association area Visual association area Vision Figure 48.27 Temporal lobe Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Occipital lobe • Each of the lobes – Contains primary sensory areas and association areas Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • In the somatosensory cortex and motor cortex – Neurons are distributed according to the part of the body that generates sensory input or receives motor input Frontal lobe Parietal lobe Toes Lips Jaw Tongue Genitalia Tongue Pharynx Primary motor cortex Figure 48.28 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Abdominal organs Primary somatosensory cortex • The left hemisphere – Becomes more adept at language, math, logical operations, and the processing of serial sequences • The right hemisphere – Is stronger at pattern recognition, nonverbal thinking, and emotional processing Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Emotions • The limbic system – Is a ring of structures around the brainstem Thalamus Hypothalamus Prefrontal cortex Olfactory bulb Amygdala Figure 48.30 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Hippocampus • Many sensory and motor association areas of the cerebral cortex – Are involved in storing and retrieving words and images Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • Concept 48.7: CNS injuries and diseases are the focus of much research • Unlike the PNS, the mammalian CNS – Cannot repair itself when damaged or assaulted by disease • Current research on nerve cell development and stem cells – May one day make it possible for physicians to repair or replace damaged neurons Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Nerve Cell Development • Signal molecules direct an axon’s growth – By binding to receptors on the plasma membrane of the growth cone Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • This receptor binding triggers a signal transduction pathway – Which may cause an axon to grow toward or away from the source of the signal Midline of spinal cord Developing axon of interneuron Developing axon of motor neuron Growth cone Netrin-1 receptor Netrin-1 receptor Slit receptor Netrin-1 Floor plate 1 Growth toward the floor plate. 2 Cells in the floor plate of the spinal cord release Netrin-1, which diffuses away from the floor plate and binds to receptors on the growth cone of a developing interneuron axon. Binding stimulates axon growth toward the floor plate. Figure 48.33a, b Slit Netrin-1 Cell adhesion molecules Growth across the mid-line. 3 Once the axon reaches the floor plate, cell adhesion molecules on the axon bind to complementary molecules on floor plate cells, directing the growth of the axon across the midline. Slit No turning back. Now the axon synthesizes receptors that bind to Slit, a repulsion protein released by floor plate cells. This prevents the axon from growing back across the midline. (a) Growth of an interneuron axon toward and across the midline of the spinal cord (diagrammed here in cross section) Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Slit receptor Netrin-1 and Slit, produced by cells of the floor plate, bind to receptors on the axons of motor neurons. In this case, both proteins act to repel the axon, directing the motor neuron to grow away from the spinal cord. (b) Growth of a motor neuron axon away from the midline of the spinal cord • The genes and basic events involved in axon guidance – Are similar in invertebrates and vertebrates • Knowledge of these events may be applied one day – To stimulate axonal regrowth following CNS damage Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Neural Stem Cells • The adult human brain – Contains stem cells that can differentiate into mature neurons Figure 48.34 Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings • The induction of stem cell differentiation and the transplantation of cultured stem cells – Are potential methods for replacing neurons lost to trauma or disease Copyright © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings