HEREIN WE WILL DISCUSS THE MOST UNTOUCHED TOPIC IN BIOLOGY, WHAT IS GLIAL CELL? HOW THEY DIFFER FROM NEURON, TYPES AND FUNCTIONS OF GLIAL CELLS

1. D R . R A K E S H K U M A R G U P T A
Glial cells

2. Glial cells
Glial cells, also known as neuroglia, are cells that surround and support
the neurons of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous
system.
They do not carry nerve impulses (action potentials), but they do
perform a variety of important functions.
Neurons would not function properly without them.

3. TYPES OF GLIAL CELLS CELLS
 Glial cells are classified into six
types  Astrocytes
 Ependymal Cells
 Microglia
 Satellite Cells
 Oligodendrocytes
 Schwann Cell
GLIAL CELLS

4. ASTROCYTES
 Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells within the brain and spinal cord,
depending on the method used they make up between 20 and 40% of all
glial cells.
 Function:
 Metabolic support
 Regulation of extracellular ionic environment
 Neurotransmitter uptake
 Modulation of synaptic transmission

5. Ependymal Cells
 Ependymal Cells
 The ependyma is the thin lining of the
ventricular system of the brain and
spinal cord.
 The main function of these cells is the
production of cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF) as a part of the choroid
plexus.

6. Oligdendrocyte
 These cells are responsible for insulating the
axons in the central nervous system. They
carry out this function by producing
a myelin sheath that enwraps around a
part of the axon.
Microglia
Microglial cells make up between 10 and 15% of
cells within the brain and are of
a mesodermal origin, unlike the other glial cells
which are of ectodermal origin.
These cells form the resident immune system of
the brain.
They are activated in response to tissue damage and
have the capability to recognise foreign antigens and
initiate phagocytosis to remove foreign material.

7. TYPES OF GLIAL CELLS CELLS
 Schwan cells:
 Schwann cells are named for Theodor Schwann, the
physiologist who discovered them.
 They function a lot like oligodendrocytes by
providing myelin sheaths for axons. However,
Schwann cells are found in the peripheral nervous
system (PNS) rather than the CNS.
 Satellite cells:
 Satellite cells get their name from the way they
surround certain neurons, with several
"satellites" forming a sheath around the cellular
surface.
GLIAL CELLS