Glial cells: what are, where are, function and types

Glial cells actively participate in Nervous System Functionslike neurons. Glial cells are also called glia, neuroglia, or neuroglial cells. These cells They are support and support for neuronswhich are responsible for transmitting the information with which our brain and our body work. In other words, neurons are the main cells of the central nervous system, while glial cells are support cells for neurons, as their role is secondary.

Glial cells are mainly found in The brainin the brain, and then in all our Nervous tissueincluding the peripheral nerves that are throughout the human body.

Glial cells are smaller and most numerous than neuronal cells. They are not able to spread action potentials. Action potentials are changes that occur in membrane potential and multiply on the surface of excitable cells, especially those of the nervous system, but also in other cells, such as fertilization.

Recent communication research between glial cells and neurons has thrown surprising results, because before it was believed that the former were mere spectators and assistants of neurons, but today it is known that they are related to more processes. These are:

• Myelinization
• SinapTogenesis
• Migration, proliferation and differentiation of neuronal precursors

There are different types of cells, each with particular function. We present them below.

There are eight types of glial cells. In the central glia that is found in the central nervous system, that is, in the brain, cerebellum, brain trunk and spinal cord, there are those that we present below, together with what differentiates them from each other.

• MICROGLY: The function of the microglia is associated with the macrophages of the immune system. They act as detoxifying agents by eliminating dead cells, toxic waste, and other types of waste. It is present in both vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. They protect the body against external aggressions such as viruses and bacteria, and diseases such as cancer acting as a shield within the nervous system. His work is as if it were an immune cell to which nothing can damage, and, thus performing, attempts to minimize or end the threats of illness. As his name says, they are very small cells, the smallest of the neuroglía.
• Glia Interlamin: It is the one that incorporates a cell type of the cerebral cortex, similar to that of primates.
• Ependymal cells: They have the function of covering the spaces full of fluid from the brain, brain and spinal cord. It is also known as ependimocytes.
• Astrocytes: It is the most numerous group in the brain. They receive their name because they have a star shape. Astrocytes have different types and also, depending on their kind, is their function. In general, they maintain communication between neurons when synapse occurs, support in regulating blood flow to the cerebellum, and keep the function of the liquid that surrounds neurons balanced. Astrocytes help neurons get where they have to arrive. In addition, they contribute to the construction of the hematoencephalic barrier, which helps to confine the cerebellum of substances that go in the blood and that could be exponentially dangerous or toxic to him.
• Oligodendrocytes: In addition to myelinizing axons, they act as an electric insulator, allowing the transmission of nerve impulses to be faster and more efficient.

In the peripheral glia found in the peripheral nervous system, that is, in the nerve ganglia, in the nerves and in the nerve endings, we find them:

• Schwann cells: that constitute the glia of the peripheral nervous system, and are the support of axons in that system. They are vital cells in the reconstruction of damaged tissues, and in the healing of various diseases, since it has been demonstrated in the laboratory, that the cultivation of Schwann cells is very useful for processes such as myelinization, demyelination, post-traumatic regeneration and the response to infectious people. Schwann cells form a wrapping layer around the axons of the peripheral nervous system, with an extensive layer of myelin, and also have the function of separating and isolating nerve cells. There are some diseases that affect Schwann cells, such as multiple sclerosis and diffuse sclerosis. Both diseases are demyelizers and consequently affect axon. When conducting the conduction and communication of the nerves, great pain occurs, in addition to loss of strength and sensitivity.
• Capsular or satellite cells: They are very small cells that can surround the soma or body of the neurons, as well as the axons and the dendrites of the spinal, cranial and visceral ganglia, creating almost a real capsule, from which they take their name, and do so to protect the encapsulated element.
• Müller cells: They provide physical support and trophic factors to neurons. They are located in the retina. Its function is to maintain the structural and functional stability of retinal cells. It should be remembered that most retinal cells are neurons.

Now that you know what glial cells are, you may be interested in knowing what the animal is with the largest brain of all and do jellyfish have brain?

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