Question

Why is axonal regeneration an example of neuroplasticity? In your answer, be sure to describe the four kinds of glial cells.

Answer 1

Axon is one of the three parts of a neuron(the other two being cell body and dendrites ).When the axon is damaged ;it can regenerate.It is an example of neuroplasticity because despite the damage ; the axon can regenerate and connect with the cell body reforming the synapse.So the damage to the axon does not lead to the destruction of synapse.

The four types of glial cells are-

1)Astrocytes ---The foot processes of astrocytes form the blood -brain barrier.

2)Oligodendroglia--They form the myelin sheath in the central nervous system.

3)Schwann cell--They form the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system.

4)Microglia--They are the macrophages which help in clearing the cellular debris.