Chapter 6: Problem 3

What are the principal cells in the dentate gyrus and the CA1 field?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The principal cells in the dentate gyrus are granule cells, and the principal cells in the CA1 field of the hippocampus are pyramidal cells.

Step by step solution

Introduction to the Hippocampus

The hippocampus is a region of the brain that plays a critical role in learning and memory. It is comprised of several subregions, each with their unique cell types and functions. The two areas of interest in this exercise are the dentate gyrus and the CA1 field.

Dentate Gyrus Principal Cells

The dentate gyrus is one of two major subregions within the hippocampus, the other being the Ammon's horn (CA fields). The principal cells in the dentate gyrus are called granule cells. Granule cells are small, densely packed neurons that receive input from the entorhinal cortex via the perforant path. They play a crucial role in pattern separation, which is the process of transforming similar input patterns into more distinct output patterns.

CA1 Field Principal Cells

The CA1 field is one of the subregions of Ammon's horn, which comprises CA1, CA2, and CA3. The principal cells in the CA1 field are pyramidal cells. Pyramidal cells in CA1 receive input from both the Schaffer collateral pathway (originating from the CA3 region) and the direct perforant pathway (from the entorhinal cortex). They provide the primary output from the hippocampus to other brain regions, playing a crucial role in memory formation and retrieval. In summary, the principal cells in the dentate gyrus are granule cells, while pyramidal cells are the principal cells in the CA1 field of the hippocampus.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

What are the principal cells in the dentate gyrus and the CA1 field?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Introduction to the Hippocampus

Dentate Gyrus Principal Cells

CA1 Field Principal Cells

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Ecology

Responding to Change

Bioenergetics

Control of Gene Expression

Biological Organisms

Heredity

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.