Cells of the Nervous System

Question 1

What are neuroglia and what do they do?

Answer 1

Non neuronal cells which form myelin and wrap around axons
Provide nutrients
Destroy pathogens
Support structure

Question 2

Name the four types of neuroglia

Answer 2

Ependymal cells
Astrocytes
Oligodendrocytes
Microglia

Question 3

What do ependymal cells do and look like?

Answer 3

Produce CSF

Cuboidal epithelium - line ventricles

Question 4

What do astrocytes do and look like?

Answer 4

Control BBB and blood flow
Regulate transmission of electrical pulses in brain
Star shaped
Most abundant glial cell in brain

Question 5

What do microglia do?

Answer 5

CNS immunity

10-15% of brain cells

Question 6

What do oligodendrocytes do?

Answer 6

Forms and maintains myelin around neurons in the CNS

Attached to axons by protoplasmic processes

Question 7

What do Schwann cells do?

Answer 7

Schwann cells keep PNS nerves both myelinated and unmyelinated

Question 8

What does myelin do?

Answer 8

Insulate and decrease membrane capacitance of axons

Question 9

What do satellite cells do?

Answer 9

Cover surface of nerve cell bodies in the PNS

Thought to have a similar role to astrocytes