4.4B: Types of Nervous Tissue
- Describe the main cells that comprise nervous tissue
Nervous tissue, one of the four main tissue types, is composed of neurons and supporting cells called neuroglia. Neuroglia are also called “glial cells.”
Neuroglia
There are six types of neuroglia—four in the central nervous system and two in the PNS. These glial cells are involved in many specialized functions apart from support of the neurons. Neuroglia in the CNS include astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells and oligodendrocytes. In the PNS, satellite cells and Schwann cells are the two kinds of neuroglia.
Astrocytes
Astrocytes are shaped like a star and are the most abundant glial cell in the CNS. They have many radiating processes which help in clinging to the neurons and capillaries. They support and brace the neurons and anchor them to the nutrient supply lines. They also help in the guiding the migration of young neurons. Astrocytes control the chemical environment around the neurons.
Microglial Cells
Microglial cells are small and ovoid un shape with thorny processes. They are found in the CNS. When invading microorganism or dead neurons are present, the microglial cells can transform into a phagocytic macrophage and help in cleaning the neuronal debris.
Ependymal Cells
Ependymal cells are ciliated and line the central cavities of the brain and spinal cord where they form a fairly permeable barrier between the cerebrospinal fluid that fills these cavities and the tissue cells of the CNS.
Oligodendrocytes
Oligodendrocytes line up along the nerves and produce an insulating cover called myelin sheath. They are found in the CNS.
Satellite Cells
Satellite cells surround neuron cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). They are analogous to the astrocytes in the CNS.
Schwann Cells
Schwann cells surround all nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system and form myelin sheaths around the nerve fibers. They are found in the PNS. Their function is similar to oligodendrocytes.
Neurons
Neurons consist of cell body and one or more slender processes. The neuronal cell body consists of a nucleus and rough endoplasmic reticulum or Nissl Bodies. The cell body is the major biosynthetic center of a neuron and contains the usual organelles for the synthesis of proteins and other chemicals. Arm like processes extend from the cell body to all neurons.
The two types of neuron processes are called dendrites and axons. Dendrites are motor neurons that are short and have a large surface area for receiving signals from other neurons. Dendrites convey incoming messages towards the cell body and are therefore called the receptive input region.
The axon arises from the cone shaped portion of the cell body called the axon hillock. Functionally, the axon is the conducting region of the neuron and is responsible for generating and transmitting impulses typically away from the cell body. A single axon routes the nerve impulse from the cell body to another neuron or an effector organ. The axon can have many terminal branches, so each time the nerve fires, it can stimulate more than one cell.
Key Points
- Nervous tissue is composed of neurons and supporting cells called neuroglia, or ” glial cells.”
- There are six types of neuroglia. Four are found in the central nervous system, while two are found in the peripheral nervous system.
- The four types of neuroglia found in the central nervous system are astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes.
- The two types of neuroglia found in the peripheral nervous system are satellite cells and Schwann cells.
- Neurons are the other the other type of cell that comprise nervous tissue. Neurons have cell bodies, dendrites, and axons.
Key Terms
- neuron : The main cell type in nervous tissue.
- neuroglia : Supporting cells in nervous tissue.
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