Difference Between Neurons And Neuroglia

Difference Between Neurons And Neuroglia: Neurons​ and Neuroglia collectively form the Nervous system of higher vertebrates. The nervous system is responsible for controlling and coordinating processes in the body. It is ectodermal in origin. Neuroglial cells form more than 50 percent of the nervous system. The major difference between neurons and neuroglial cells is in their structure ure and functions.

Differences Between Neurons and Neuroglial

Features	Neurons	Neuroglia
Function	Conduct and transmit impulses	Provide support, packaging, and repair
Size	Largest cells in the human body	Smaller compared to neurons
Structure	Consist of dendrites, cell body, and axon	Lack of dendrites and axons
Myelin	Can be myelinated or non-myelinated	Myelinated in the central and peripheral nervous system
Types	Apolar, unipolar, bipolar, pseudounipolar, multipolar	Macroglial cells and microglial cells
Origin	Ectodermal	Ectodermal except microglial cells (mesodermal)
Function	Transmit electrical impulses and process information	Provide support, insulation, and immune response
Location	Found throughout the nervous system	Abundant in neural tissue
Communication	Participate in neural communication	Do not directly participate in neural communication
Repair	Limited ability to regenerate	Play a role in the repair of the nervous system

Neurons

Neurons are the structural and also the functional units of the nervous system. They help in the conduction of impulses. They are the largest cells of the human body. A typical neuron is made up of 3 parts:

• Dendrites: Dendrites are the highly branched structures that receive stimulus
• Cell body/Cyton/Perikaryon/Soma: It converts stimulus into an electrical impulse. Nissl’s granules are present in the cell body and dendrites which help in forming protein. ‘Axon hillock’, a part of cyton, is a very sensitive region from where the axon starts.
• Axon: It conducts and transmits impulses. On the axon, Myelin sheath is present which is secreted by Schwann cells and Oligodendrocytes in the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system respectively. Myelin sheath is discontinuous and the place where it is absent is called as ‘Node of Ranvier’.

Neuroglial Cells

Neuroglial cells are non-excitable cells of the nervous system that helps in packaging and support. They also help in providing nutrition, protection, and repair of the nervous system. More than 50% volume of neural tissue is neuroglial cells.

Classification of neuroglial cells

Neuroglial cells are broadly classified into two types namely Microglial cells and Macroglial cells.
Macroglial cells are further divided into four types-

1. Astrocytes: These are star-shaped cells that form the blood-brain barrier. They act as selectively permeable membrane and allows selective substances to move in the brain and thus prevent infections. They also help in repairing and healing of nervous system.
2. Ependymal cells: Brush-bordered columnar cells that produce and move cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). They also absorb old CSF. They are present in the ventricles of the brain and the Central canal of the spinal cord.
3. Oligodendrocytes: Oligodendrocytes are responsible for the formation of myelin sheath in neurons of the central nervous system.
4. Schwann cells: These cells are responsible for the formation of myelin sheath in neurons of the peripheral nervous system.

FAQs on Neuron and Neuroglia

Q1: What is the function of the nervous system in higher vertebrates?

Answer:

The nervous system is responsible for controlling and coordinating processes in the body.

Q2: What is the origin of the nervous system?

Answer:

The nervous system is ectodermal in origin except for Microglial cells

Q3: What percentage of the nervous system is formed by neuroglial cells?

Answer:

Neuroglial cells form more than 50 percent of the nervous system.

Q4: What are the three parts that make up a typical neuron?

Answer:

A typical neuron is made up of three parts: Dendrites, Cell body/Cyton/Perikaryon/Soma, and Axon.

Q5: How many types of neurons are there based on the number of processes?

Answer:

There are five types of neurons based on the number of processes

1. Apolar neurons
2. Unipolar neurons
3. Bipolar neurons
4. Pseudounipolar neurons
5. Multipolar neurons