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Related Concept Videos

Nervous Tissue: Myelin01:25

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

The myelin sheath is a multilayered lipid and protein covering that insulates the axon of a neuron, enhancing the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Axons without this sheath are referred to as unmyelinated. Two types of neuroglia, Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) are responsible for producing myelin sheaths.
Schwann cells begin to form myelin sheaths around axons during fetal development. They wrap around a small...
Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

Overview
Energy Associated With a Charge Distribution01:21

Energy Associated With a Charge Distribution

The work done to bring a charge through a distance r is given by the potential difference between the initial and the final position. To assemble a collection of point charges, the total work done can be expressed in terms of the product of each pair of charges divided by their separation distance, defined with respect to a suitable origin. Solving this expression gives the energy stored in a point charge distribution.
Energy Diagrams - II01:10

Energy Diagrams - II

Energy diagrams are important to understand the dynamics of a system. The topology of an energy diagram helps illustrate the equilibrium points of the system.
The point in the energy diagram at which the system’s potential energy is the lowest is known as the local minima. The system tends to stay in this position indefinitely unless acted upon by a net force. The slope of the potential energy diagram at the local minima is zero, indicating that zero net force is acting on the system. The slope...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures
09:41

Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

Published on: March 20, 2019

Hypothesis of an energetic function for myelin.

Alessandro Morelli1, Silvia Ravera, Isabella Panfoli

  • 1Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV-3, 16132 Genoa, Italy. morellia@unige.it

Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics
|April 2, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Myelin, a nervous system component, may absorb oxygen for aerobic ATP production, supplying neurons with energy. This research explores myelin

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cellular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The nervous system is a significant oxygen consumer, yet the precise site of oxygen absorption remains unclear.
  • Myelin, an insulating sheath around axons in the central and peripheral nervous systems, is an outgrowth of glial cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that myelin is functional in aerobic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production.
  • To explore myelin's potential role in oxygen absorption and energy supply to neurons.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of four proteomic studies indicating the expression of respiratory complexes I to V in isolated myelin.
  • Examination of quantitative analyses supporting myelin's role in aerobic ATP production.
  • Review of myelin's characteristics and properties in relation to oxygen absorbance and energy metabolism.

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Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) Application for Imaging Myelination in Brain Slices
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Generation of Oligodendrocytes and Oligodendrocyte-Conditioned Medium for Co-Culture Experiments
09:05

Generation of Oligodendrocytes and Oligodendrocyte-Conditioned Medium for Co-Culture Experiments

Published on: February 9, 2020

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Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures
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Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

Published on: March 20, 2019

Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) Application for Imaging Myelination in Brain Slices
04:08

Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) Application for Imaging Myelination in Brain Slices

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Generation of Oligodendrocytes and Oligodendrocyte-Conditioned Medium for Co-Culture Experiments
09:05

Generation of Oligodendrocytes and Oligodendrocyte-Conditioned Medium for Co-Culture Experiments

Published on: February 9, 2020

Main Results:

  • Proteomic studies suggest the presence of key respiratory complexes within myelin.
  • Quantitative data support the functional role of myelin in aerobic ATP production.
  • Myelin possesses numerous characteristics consistent with a role in oxygen absorption for energy metabolism.

Conclusions:

  • Myelin may play a crucial role in oxygen absorption and aerobic ATP production within the nervous system.
  • This function would provide essential chemical energy to neurons, supporting overall nervous system function.
  • The proposed role of myelin as an oxygen absorber offers explanations for previously unexplained myelin properties.