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Glial cells, or glia, are a primary cell type in the nervous system that provides crucial physical and metabolic support to neurons. Their functions include creating a structural scaffold for the nervous system, insulating neurons, helping neurons align to facilitate communication, transporting nutrients and waste, and mediating immune responses.

Glial Cells

Astrocytes are a type of Central Nervous System (CNS) glial cell that provides structural support support to neurons. They make up the blood-brain barrier and support synaptic functions.

Astrocytes

A type of glial cell found in the Central Nervous System (CNS) where it supports neuronal communication by creating the myelin sheath that surrounds axons.

Oligodendrocytes

A type of glial cell specialized cells found in the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Ependymal Cells

A type of glial cell specialized cells found in the Central Nervous System (CNS) where it serves immune functions.

 Microglia 

A type of glial cell found in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), where it myelinates axons supporting neurotransmission.

Schwann Cells

A type of glial cell found in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

Satellite Cells

For many years, researchers assumed that glial cells vastly outnumbered neurons in the nervous system. However, more recent work from Suzanna Herculano-Houzel's laboratory provides important evidence for a nearly 1:1 ratio of glia to neurons. This finding is significant because it indicates that human brains share more similarities in cellular composition with other primate brains than previously thought.

Glia-to-Neuron Ratio

A hypothetical neurological disorder is characterized by the progressive loss of cells that provide structural support, insulation, and nutrient transport within the nervous system. The primary information-processing cells, however, remain structurally intact. Which of the following is the most probable consequence of this specific cellular loss?

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