Neuroscience For Kids - glia (2024)

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Neuroscience For Kids - glia? ›

Glia carries out many important functions for normal brain function including insulating nerve cells with myelin. The neurons in the brain also make many new connections after birth.

Glial cells are a type of cell that provides physical and chemical support to neurons and maintain their environment. Located in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, glial cells are sometimes called the "glue" of the nervous system, as well as neuroglia or just glia.

The term glia (from the Greek word meaning “glue”) reflects the nineteenth-century presumption that these cells held the nervous system together in some way. The word has survived, despite the lack of any evidence that binding nerve cells together is among the many functions of glial cells.

In the CNS, glial cells regulate neurotransmission and help form the blood-brain barrier. They also clean up dead neurons, synchronize nerve impulses, and regulate brain metabolism.

Recent findings have made it clear that glial cells are more than just mere “Nervenkitt”. The total glial cell population can be subdivided into four major groups: (1) microglia, (2) astrocytes, (3) oligodendrocytes, and (4) their progenitors NG2-glia.

In addition to helping build and destroy synapses, glia may be involved in brain functions like learning in a more direct way. Some varieties of glia wrap around axons, the “wires” that connect neurons, forming insulation called myelin.

During synaptogenesis, glial cells and glial-derived factors promote the formation of mature functional synapses, regulate neurotransmitters and energy in the brain, and play key roles in synaptic function and behavior.

Furthermore, various types of glial progenitors have the potential to generate neurons under pathological conditions. Thus, glial responses to injury and disease serves two main purposes: 1) repair and preservation of existing cell populations, and 2) regeneration of lost populations, including both neurons and glia.

Everything we think, feel, and do would be impossible without the work of neurons and their support cells, the glial cells called astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. A neuron has three basic parts: a cell body, and two branches called an axon and a dendrite.

The total number of glia cells in the human brain is distributed into the different types with oligodendrocytes being the most frequent (45–75%), followed by astrocytes (19–40%) and microglia (about 10% or less).

How does glia contribute to brain function mainly by? ›

The nervous system consists of neurons and glial cells. Neurons generate and propagate electrical and chemical signals, whereas glia function mainly to modulate neuron function and signaling.

Glial cells not only clear fragmented axons and synaptic debris produced during synapse elimination, but also engulf unwanted synapses thereby actively promoting synapse elimination non-cell autonomously.

Two-way communication between neurons and nonneural cells called glia is essential for axonal conduction, synaptic transmission, and information processing and thus is required for normal functioning of the nervous system during development and throughout adult life.

(GLEE-ul sel) Any of the cells that hold nerve cells in place and help them work the way they should. The types of glial cells include oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia, and ependymal cells.

Many glial cells provide support for an essential nervous system function. In addition to providing support for neurons, glial cells aid in the maintenance of homeostasis, and form myelin.

The brain is protected by the bones of the skull and by a covering of three thin membranes called meninges. The brain is also cushioned and protected by cerebrospinal fluid. This watery fluid is produced by special cells in the four hollow spaces in the brain, called ventricles.

Many glial cells provide support for an essential nervous system function. In addition to providing support for neurons, glial cells aid in the maintenance of homeostasis, and form myelin.

They are thus known as the "supporting cells" of the nervous system. The four main functions of glial cells are: to surround neurons and hold them in place, to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons, to insulate one neuron from another, and to destroy and remove the carcasses of dead neurons (clean up).

Glia in Learning and Memory

Activation of intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling in astrocytes can augment or suppress both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission and influence state dependent changes in cortical activity during, for example, sleep (Halassa and others 2009) and working memory.

Glia enables companies to better support their customers by injecting more context into the conversation. Through live observation and CoBrowsing, agents are able to see the issues customers are dealing with in real-time - allowing them to provide more personalized service and efficient resolution.