Supporting Cells of the Nervous System

Question 1

Ciliated cells that line the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord

Answer 1

Ependymal cells

Question 2

These cells contribute to the formation and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid

Answer 2

Ependymal cells

Question 3

These cells play a role in directing cell migration during brain development

Answer 3

Ependymal cells

Question 4

Phagocytes that engulf debris

Answer 4

Microglia

Question 5

These cells are also involved in remodelling of synaptic connections

Answer 5

Microglia

Question 6

These cells can migrate from brain to blood

Answer 6

Microglia

Question 7

What type of cell are all of the following:

• astrocytes
• oligodendrocytes
• schwann cells
• capsular cells

Answer 7

Macroglia

Question 8

The most numerous cells in the nervous system

Answer 8

Astrocytes

Question 9

These cells undergo alterations in response to many insults to the CNS and are highly susceptible to the formation of neoplasms

Answer 9

Astrocytes

Question 10

These cells control electrolyte balance in the CNS (particularly extracellular K+)

Answer 10

Astrocytes

Question 11

These cells produce neurotrophins necessary for neuronal survival

Answer 11

Astrocytes

Question 12

Name transmitters taken up by astrocytes

Answer 12

Glutamate

GABA

Question 13

Which cell supplies glutamine for the synthesis of neurotransmitter glutamate by neurones?

Answer 13

Astrocytes

Question 14

These cells regulate the ‘tightness’ of the blood brain barrier

Answer 14

Astrocytes

Question 15

These cells produce neurotrophic factors (e.g. nerve growth factor) which is important for repair of damaged axons in the CNS

Answer 15

Oligodendrocytes

Question 16

Loss of this type of cell contributes to demyelinating disorder MS

Answer 16

Oligodendrocytes

Question 17

Why does loss of myelin cause a failure of salutatory conduction?

Answer 17

There are no voltage-activated sodium channels in the area of axon previously engulfed by the oligodendrocyte process

Question 18

Difference between oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells?

Answer 18

Oligodendroctyes - CNS
Schwann cells - PNS

Oligodendrocytes can envelope lots of axons (40-50 if the myelin sheath is thin). Each Schwann cells envelops only a short segment of one axon)

Question 19

If a Schwann cell only envelops a short segment of one axon, how do they envelop an entire axon?

Answer 19

A chain of Schwann cells are required to myelinate an entire axon

Question 20

These cells are extremely important in the regeneration of transected aons

Answer 20

Schwann cells

-stimulated schwann cells proliferate to form a ‘tube’ into which growth sprouts from the proximal end of the cut axon enter and ultimately re-innervate the previously de-innervated target

Question 21

Name a disease whereby the peripheral neurones become demyelinated

Answer 21

Guillian-Barre syndrome

Question 22

These are glial elements that surround the neuronal bodies in sensory and autonomic ganglia

Answer 22

Capsular (or satellite) cells

Question 23

These cells separate ganglion cell bodies in dorsal root ganglion

Answer 23

Capsular (satellite) cells