The document introduces the nervous system and its main cell types. It discusses neurons, which have dendrites, an axon, and terminals, as well as glial cells that support neurons. Peripheral glia include Schwann cells that electrically insulate axon segments, while central glia are oligodendrocytes that insulate multiple axon segments and astrocytes and microglia that maintain homeostasis and perform immune functions in the central nervous system.
The document introduces the nervous system and its main cell types. It discusses neurons, which have dendrites, an axon, and terminals, as well as glial cells that support neurons. Peripheral glia include Schwann cells that electrically insulate axon segments, while central glia are oligodendrocytes that insulate multiple axon segments and astrocytes and microglia that maintain homeostasis and perform immune functions in the central nervous system.
The document introduces the nervous system and its main cell types. It discusses neurons, which have dendrites, an axon, and terminals, as well as glial cells that support neurons. Peripheral glia include Schwann cells that electrically insulate axon segments, while central glia are oligodendrocytes that insulate multiple axon segments and astrocytes and microglia that maintain homeostasis and perform immune functions in the central nervous system.
Introduction and Cell Types Dendrites, axon, terminals Glial cells Peripheral Schwann cell: specialised membrane of 1 cell to electrically insulate the segment of an axon Central Oligodendrocytes: 1 cell with many processes electrically insulate many segments of many axons Microglial cells: immune function, scavenger Astrocytes: maintain ECF metabolically, has processes that coat the outside of blood vessels in the brain and help to form a tight blood-brain barrier that protects the brain from toxic substances in the blood