Neuroglial cells

o Astrocytes
Branching sea anemone shaped
Numerous radiating processes cling to neurons and their
synaptic endings
Support and brace neurons, anchoring them to nutrient
supply lines
Mop up leaked potassium ions
Guide migration of young neurons and formation of synapses
Connected by gap junctions
o Microglial
Small and ovoid with relatively long thorny processes
Transform into macrophages that phagotocize
microorganisms or neuronal debris
o Ependymal
Range in shape from squamous to columnar
Line central cavities of the brain and spinal cord where they
form a permeable barrier between cerebrospinal fluid and
tissue fluid bathing the cells of the CNS
Circulates spinal fluid and cushions brain and spinal cord.
o Oligodendrocytes
Branch but with fewer processes than astrocytes
Line up along the thicker nerve fibers, wrapping their
processes around the fibers producing a myelin sheath

Neurons
o Characteristics
Extreme longevity >100
Amitotic as neurons become highly specialised as
communicating links of the nervous system, they lose the
ability to divide. Except for olfactory epithelium and some
hippocampal regions
Extremely high metabolic rate and require continuous and
abundant supplies of glucose
o Structure

Cell body
Consists of spherical nucleus with a conspicuous nucleolus
surrounded by cytoplasm
Contains the necessary organelles to synthesise protein and
other chemicals
Consists of clustered free ribosomes and rough endoplasmic
reticulum
Also called chromatophilic substance or Nissl bodies
Microtubules and neurofibrils maintain structure
Plasma membrane acts as part of the receptive area that
receives information from other neurons
Neuron processes
Called tracts in the CNS and nerves in the PNS
Dendrites
o Dendrites of motor neurons are short, tapering,
diffusely branching extensions.
o All organelles typically found in other cells are
also found in dendrites
o Increase surface area of receiving signals from
other neurons
o Convey messages towards the body and
typically not action potentials (nerve impulses)
but short distance signals called graded
potentials
Axon
o Each neuron has a single axon
o Structure

Initial region arises from cone shaped

area of the cell body called the axon
hillock.
May be very long or very short
Long axons called nerve fibers
Each neuron only has one axon but axons
may have branches called axon collaterals
.
Branches profusely at its end: 10000 or
more terminal branches
Knoblike distal ending called axon
terminals or terminal boutons
Functional characteristics
Axon is the conducting region of the
neuron
Generates and transmits nerve impulses
along the axolemma and away from the
plasma membrane.
When signal reaches axon terminals,
neurotransmitters are released via
vesicles into the extracellular space
This in turn excits or inhibits neurons that
the axon is in close contact with, carrying
on the conversation
Axons lack a rough endoplasmic reticulum
and golgi apparatus
Relies on cell body for proteins and
membrane components
Needs efficient transport
mechanism