MCAT Biology : Glia
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Example Question #63 : Nervous System And Nervous Tissue
Which of the following glial cells produces cerebrospinal fluid?
Astrocytes
Ependymal cells
Oligodendrocytes
Satellite cells
Microglia
Ependymal cells
Ependymal cells, which line cerebral cavities and the central canal, produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is a colorless liquid that protects the brain and spinal cord against injury.
Microglia protect the central nervous system from microbes and debris of injured cells. Astrocytes, located in the central nervous system, provide structural support for neurons in addition to many other tasks involving nutrient and ion regulation. Oligodrendrocytes produce the myelin sheath around the axons of the central nervous system. Satellite cells are not found in the central nervous system, and therefore cannot produce CSF.
Example Question #131 : Systems Biology And Tissue Types
What is the major difference between Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes?
Oligodendrocytes myelinate central nervous system axons, whereas Schwann cells myelinate peripheral nervous system axons
Oligodendrocytes myelinate axons and dendrites, whereas Schwann cells only myelinate axons
Schwann cells are the most common glial cell type
Schwann cells myelinate axons, while oligodendocytes myelinate dendrites
Action potentials propagate faster down axons myelinated by Schwann cells
Oligodendrocytes myelinate central nervous system axons, whereas Schwann cells myelinate peripheral nervous system axons
Both oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells produce and maintain myelin along axons. Oligodendrocytes are the most common glial cell type, and provide myelination for all neural axons in the central nervous system. Schwann cells provide myelination for neurons in the peripheral nervous system.
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