What is the oligodendrocyte function?
What is the oligodendrocyte function?
Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS). They are the end product of a cell lineage which has to undergo a complex and precisely timed program of proliferation, migration, differentiation, and myelination to finally produce the insulating sheath of axons.
What is the myelin?
Myelin is an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. It is made up of protein and fatty substances. This myelin sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells.
What is neuroglia function?
The neuroglia are a diverse class of cells that provide developmental, physiological, and metabolic support for neurons. They are responsible for maintaining homeostatic control and immune surveillance in the nervous system.
What is an astrocyte?
Listen to pronunciation. (AS-troh-site) A large, star-shaped cell that holds nerve cells in place and helps them develop and work the way they should. An astrocyte is a type of glial cell.
What does the oligodendrocyte look like?
The cell has a rounded, dark nucleus with clumped chromatin. The cytoplasm is also electron dense and contains short cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum with numerous short mitochondria. It is common for these cells to have some dark inclusions in their cytoplasm.
What is the difference between a Schwann cell and an oligodendrocyte?
The primary difference is their location. Oligodendrocytes myelinate the central nervous system, while Schwann cells myelinate the peripheral nervous system. Oligodendrocytes are also capable of myelinating multiple axons, while Schwann cells can only myelinate one axon per cell.
What is a space between two neurons called?
synapse, also called neuronal junction, the site of transmission of electric nerve impulses between two nerve cells (neurons) or between a neuron and a gland or muscle cell (effector).
What part of the brain is spinal cord?
The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is made of different types of tissues and cells which can develop into different types of tumours. To understand tumours of the CNS it helps to know about the: parts of the brain and spinal cord.
What is Schwann cell?
A Schwann cell forms a myelin sheath by wrapping its plasma membrane concentrically around the inner axon. While the nucleus remains fixed, the inner turn of the glial cell membrane spirals around the axon to add membrane layers, or lamellae, to the myelin sheath.
What is a microglia?
Microglia represent a specialized population of macrophages-like cells in the central nervous system (CNS) considered immune sentinels that are capable of orchestrating a potent inflammatory response.