What type of cells in the nervous system provide support and protection?

Glial cells, also known as neuroglia, are the primary supportive cells in the nervous system, playing essential roles in maintaining homeostasis, forming myelin, and providing support and protection for neurons. They outnumber neurons in the nervous system and perform a variety of functions that are crucial for the proper functioning of neural tissues.

These cells help to nurture neurons, maintain the extracellular environment, and protect the nervous system from pathogens and injury. For example, astrocytes, a type of glial cell, help regulate blood flow, provide nutrients to neurons, and clean up debris in the brain. Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around the axons of central nervous system neurons, which enhances the speed of electrical impulses along the axon. Microglia act as the immune cells of the central nervous system, responding to injury and disease.

In contrast, neurons are the primary signaling units of the nervous system, responsible for transmitting signals through electrical impulses. Stem cells are involved in the generation of new cells and do not primarily provide support and protection. Epithelial cells serve various functions in tissues but are not specialized for support within the nervous system. Thus, glial cells are specifically adapted to provide the necessary support and protection that