Attractive Cues

Definition

Attractive cues refer to the chemical signals and physical features that guide the growth and direction of axons during neural development. These cues play a critical role in axon guidance, ensuring that neurons connect with their appropriate target cells to form functional synapses, ultimately leading to proper communication within the nervous system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Attractive cues can be both short-range and long-range, helping guide axons to their target cells over varying distances.
2. They can include guidance molecules like netrins, semaphorins, and ephrins that interact with specific receptors on growth cones.
3. The response of growth cones to attractive cues is crucial for proper neural circuitry formation and overall brain function.
4. Disruption in the signaling of attractive cues can lead to neurological disorders or developmental issues due to improper axon targeting.
5. Attractive cues not only influence initial axon guidance but also play a role in synapse formation and stabilization once connections are established.

Review Questions

• How do attractive cues contribute to the process of axon guidance during neural development?
  • Attractive cues are essential for guiding axons to their target cells during neural development. They provide directional signals that influence the movement of growth cones, allowing them to navigate through complex environments. Without these cues, axons may fail to reach their intended destinations, leading to improper synapse formation and functional neural circuits.
• What are some examples of molecules classified as attractive cues, and how do they function in axon guidance?
  • Examples of attractive cues include netrins, which bind to receptors on growth cones to promote their directional movement toward the source of the cue. Other molecules, such as semaphorins and ephrins, can also act as attractive signals under specific conditions. These molecules create gradients in the developing nervous system that growth cones detect, allowing for precise navigation towards their synaptic targets.
• Evaluate the implications of impaired attractive cue signaling on neural circuit formation and potential neurological outcomes.
  • Impaired signaling of attractive cues can severely disrupt neural circuit formation, leading to misrouted axons and dysfunctional synapses. This misrouting can result in various neurological disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder or developmental coordination disorder. Understanding how these cues work not only sheds light on normal brain development but also opens pathways for potential therapeutic strategies to correct or mitigate the effects of such disruptions.

Related terms

Neurotrophic Factors: Biological molecules that support the growth, survival, and differentiation of developing neurons, often acting as attractive cues in neural pathways.

Growth Cones: Dynamic structures at the tips of growing axons that sense environmental cues, including attractive cues, to navigate towards their targets.

Synaptogenesis:

The formation of synapses between neurons, a process heavily influenced by attractive cues guiding axon growth and targeting.