Oligodendrocyte precursor cell
Encyclopedia
Oligodendrocyte precursor cell
s in nervous tissue cells precede oligodendrocytes, and may also be able to generate neurons
and astrocytes
. The principal function of oligodendrocytes is to provide support to axons
and to produce the Myelin sheath, which insulates and lowers the effective capacitance of axons. Myelin is 80% lipid
and 20% protein
and speeds the conduction of action potential
s down the axon. Oligodendrocytes, unlike Schwann cell
s of the PNS, form segments of myelin sheaths of numerous neuron
s at once. The processes of a given oligodendrocyte wrap themselves around portions of the surrounding axons. As each process wraps itself around, it forms layers of myelin. Each process thus becomes a segment of the axon's myelin sheath.
Precursor cell
In cytology, a precursor cell, also called a blast cell or simply blast, is a type of partially differentiated, usually unipotent cellthat has lost most or all of the stem cell multipotency....
s in nervous tissue cells precede oligodendrocytes, and may also be able to generate neurons
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
and astrocytes
Astrocyte
Astrocytes , also known collectively as astroglia, are characteristic star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord...
. The principal function of oligodendrocytes is to provide support to axons
Axon
An axon is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body or soma....
and to produce the Myelin sheath, which insulates and lowers the effective capacitance of axons. Myelin is 80% lipid
Lipid
Lipids constitute a broad group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins , monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, and others...
and 20% protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
and speeds the conduction of action potential
Action potential
In physiology, an action potential is a short-lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell rapidly rises and falls, following a consistent trajectory. Action potentials occur in several types of animal cells, called excitable cells, which include neurons, muscle cells, and...
s down the axon. Oligodendrocytes, unlike Schwann cell
Schwann cell
Schwann cells or neurolemmocytes are the principal glia of the peripheral nervous system . Glial cells function to support neurons and in the PNS, also include satellite cells, olfactory ensheathing cells, enteric glia and glia that reside at sensory nerve endings, such as the Pacinian corpuscle...
s of the PNS, form segments of myelin sheaths of numerous neuron
Neuron
A neuron is an electrically excitable cell that processes and transmits information by electrical and chemical signaling. Chemical signaling occurs via synapses, specialized connections with other cells. Neurons connect to each other to form networks. Neurons are the core components of the nervous...
s at once. The processes of a given oligodendrocyte wrap themselves around portions of the surrounding axons. As each process wraps itself around, it forms layers of myelin. Each process thus becomes a segment of the axon's myelin sheath.
External links
- NIF Search - Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cell via the Neuroscience Information FrameworkNeuroscience Information FrameworkThe Neuroscience Information Framework is a repository of global neuroscience web resources, including experimental, clinical, and translational neuroscience databases, knowledge bases, atlases, and genetic/genomic resources.-Description:...