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What different types of glial cells are there in the CNS and what are their functions?
- Astrocytes - physiological and mechanical support to neurons, blood brain barrier, replacement of neural tissue lost to disease.
- Oligodendrocytes - myelination of axons.
- Ependyma and choroid plexus - CSF production and maintenance.
- Microglia - immune role.
Why is it essential for neurons to have an efficient system of intracellular transport? What mechanisms exist for this?
- Length of axons.
- Lack of synthetic and metabolic apparatus outside the cell body.
- Movement of neurotransmitters, turnover of structural components.
- Slow and fast, anterograde and retrograde, microtubule network, cytoskeleton.
Describe the structural arrangement of large nerve fibres in the PNS
- Endonerium, perinerium, epinerium.
- Schwann cells, vessels.
- Axons arranged in fascicles etc.
How does the autonomic nervous system contribute to normal physiology and homeostasis?
- Control of visceral muscle.
- Essential bodily functions.
- Provides appropriate response to changes in environment etc.