Question

Fill in the blank question for a biopsychology course.. Which of the four main types of glial cells is responsible for enhancing conduction velocity along an axon?

Answer 1

FOUR TYPES OF GLIAL CELLS IN RESPONSIBLE FOR ENCHANCING VELOCITY ALONG AN AXON ARE:

1. ASTROCYTES- They make contact with capillaries and neuron in the CNS. Astrocyes are star shaped cells that maintain a neurons networking environment, they do this by controlling the levels of neurotransmitter around synapses and controlling the concentrations of important ions like potassium and providing metabolic support. But Astrocyes not only maintain thr environment around the synapses but also modulate how neurons communicate. Because astrocytes have the ability to sense the levels of neurotransmitter in synapses and can respond by releasing molecules that directly influence neuronal activity.

2. OLIGODENDROCYTES- provide support to axons of neurons in the CNS, particularly those that travel long distances within the brain. They produce a fatty substance called Myelin, which is wrapped around axons as a layer of insulation. Myelin sheath allows electrical messages to travel faster and gives white matter ( the white is the myelin wrapped around axons). Multiple sclerosis is caused by a loss of the myelin sheath around neurons.

3. EPENDYMAL CELLS- Also called Ependymocytes, which line sthe spinal cord and ventricular system of the brain. These cells are involved in the creation and secretion of cerebrospinal fluid and beat their cilia and aids to circulate the cerberospinal fluid and make the blood CSF barrier. They act as neural stem cells.

4. MICROGLIA- are specilized macrophages capable of phagocytosis that protect neurons of the CNS. These cells are found in all the regions of brain and spinal cord. Microglial cells are derived from the mononuclear cells that originates in the yolk sac blood islands early in development and colonize the brain shortly after the neural precursors begin to differetiate. Microglial cells are mobile within the brain and multiply when the brain is damaged. In healthy brain, microglia directs the immune response to brain damage and play an important role in the inflammation that accompanies the damage. Diseases associated with deficient microglia are Alzheimer's disease, ALS and Parkinson's disease.