Changes

The term "oligodendrocyte" literally means a "cell with many branches". Oligodendrocyte precursors are found throughout the CNS and these precursors are post-mitotic, meaning oligodendrocytes can be replaced. Oligodendrocytes can [[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology#The Process of Myelination|myelinate]] up to 40 axons at a time. The myelin sheath formed by oligodendrocytes has numerous functions including; decreasing any ion leakage from the axon lowering the capacitance of the cell membrane and increasing impulse speed along the axon by allowing saltatory conduction of action potentials between the nodes of Ranvier.

The term "oligodendrocyte" literally means a "cell with many branches". Oligodendrocyte precursors are found throughout the CNS and these precursors are post-mitotic, meaning oligodendrocytes can be replaced. Oligodendrocytes can [[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology#The Process of Myelination|myelinate]] up to 40 axons at a time. The myelin sheath formed by oligodendrocytes has numerous functions including; decreasing any ion leakage from the axon lowering the capacitance of the cell membrane and increasing impulse speed along the axon by allowing saltatory conduction of action potentials between the nodes of Ranvier.

==Astrocytes==

==Astrocytes==

 

Astrocytes, or astroglia, are star-shaped glial cells within the brain which have many processes that envelope synapses made between neurons. Astrocytes have several functions including the biochemical support of the endothelial cells in forming the blood-brain barrier, provision of nutrients to nervous tissues and to form scar tissue during repair of the brain. The fluorescent image of astrocytes on the right is possible because astrocytes express glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) which facilitates their identification.

* Astrocytes, or astroglia, are star-shaped glial cells in the brain.  

* Astrocytes have several functions:

** Biochemical support of the endothelial cells forming the blood-brain barrier

** Provision of nutrients to nervous tissue

** Repair and scarring in the brain

 

[[Image:astrocyte.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Astrocyte (immunofluorescence staining). Image courtesy of Alliance Européenne Dana pour le Cerveau (EDAB)]]

[[Image:astrocyte.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Astrocyte (immunofluorescence staining). Image courtesy of Alliance Européenne Dana pour le Cerveau (EDAB)]]

Function:

Function:

***  Playing an important role in the entry of inflammatory cells to the CNS.

***  Playing an important role in the entry of inflammatory cells to the CNS.

** When astrocytes are lost or destroyed, the neurons become very vulnerable in the face of inflammation.

** When astrocytes are lost or destroyed, the neurons become very vulnerable in the face of inflammation.

==Microglial Cells==

==Microglial Cells==