Which glial cell type is primarily responsible for myelinating axons in the central nervous system?

Which glial cell type is primarily responsible for myelinating axons in the central nervous system?

• A. Schwann cells
• B. Oligodendrocytes
• C. Microglia
• D. Astrocytes

Answer: (B)

Oligodendrocytes are the cells that form myelin in the central nervous system. They extend their processes to wrap around multiple axons, creating the myelin sheaths for each axon segment. This arrangement allows a single oligodendrocyte to insulate many neurons and speeds up signal transmission through saltatory conduction. In the peripheral nervous system, Schwann cells perform a similar role, but each Schwann cell myelinates only a single axon segment. Microglia act as immune cells that remove debris, and astrocytes provide support and regulate the brain’s environment. Understanding this distinction helps explain why damage to oligodendrocytes leads to central nervous system demyelinating conditions like multiple sclerosis.

Oligodendrocytes are the cells that form myelin in the central nervous system. They extend their processes to wrap around multiple axons, creating the myelin sheaths for each axon segment. This arrangement allows a single oligodendrocyte to insulate many neurons and speeds up signal transmission through saltatory conduction. In the peripheral nervous system, Schwann cells perform a similar role, but each Schwann cell myelinates only a single axon segment. Microglia act as immune cells that remove debris, and astrocytes provide support and regulate the brain’s environment. Understanding this distinction helps explain why damage to oligodendrocytes leads to central nervous system demyelinating conditions like multiple sclerosis.