Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

What is a Nervous System?01:25

What is a Nervous System?

79.7K
Overview
79.7K
Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells01:31

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

11.9K
Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial...
11.9K
Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

75.0K
Overview
75.0K
Organization of the Nervous System01:13

Organization of the Nervous System

12.8K
The nervous system is one of the most complex systems in our body. It is organized into two main divisions: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS, comprising the brain and spinal cord, houses billions of neurons. The brain is housed in the skull, while the spinal cord is linked to the brain through the foramen magnum of the occipital bone and is surrounded by the protective structure of the vertebral column. It is responsible for processing various...
12.8K
Neurons: The Cell Body and the Dendrites01:23

Neurons: The Cell Body and the Dendrites

13.2K
A typical nerve cell comprises three main components: the cell body, dendrites, and the axon. The cell body, also known as the soma or perikaryon, serves as the central biosynthetic hub housing a nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm containing organelles commonly found in most cells. Notably, Nissl bodies, clusters of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes responsible for protein synthesis, are distinctive features of the neuronal cell body. As neurons age, aggregates of a brown pigment...
13.2K
Functions of the Nervous System01:18

Functions of the Nervous System

7.9K
The nervous system is responsible for coordinating and regulating the body's functions. It functions through three main processes: sensory, integrative, and motor processes. Sensory function involves the detection and transmission of information about internal and external stimuli from sensory receptors to the CNS. The CNS processes this information through an integrative function, where it interprets and makes decisions based on the incoming sensory information. Finally, the motor function...
7.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

L-DOPA influences transferrin-dependent iron release at the blood-brain barrier.

Fluids and barriers of the CNS·2026
Same author

The role of iron in driving sex-biased differences in cancer.

Cancer metastasis reviews·2026
Same author

Reimagining the contribution of iron in Parkinson's disease.

Neurobiology of disease·2026
Same author

Systemic iron availability differentially shapes tumor and brain iron handling in a sex-dependent manner in glioblastoma.

PloS one·2026
Same author

Tumor-associated macrophages promote ferroptosis resistance in glioblastoma by stimulating iron-loaded extracellular vesicle release.

Journal of neuro-oncology·2026
Same author

Cerebrospinal Fluid from Restless Legs Syndrome Patients Reduces Iron Uptake in Blood-Brain Barrier Endothelial Cells by Disrupting the Regulation of Transferrin Receptors.

Annals of neurology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Establishing Mixed Neuronal and Glial Cell Cultures from Embryonic Mouse Brains to Study Infection and Innate Immunity
07:41

Author Spotlight: Establishing Mixed Neuronal and Glial Cell Cultures from Embryonic Mouse Brains to Study Infection and Innate Immunity

Published on: June 30, 2023

3.4K

Introduction to cells comprising the nervous system.

Douglas G Peters1, James R Connor

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, 850, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.

Advances in Neurobiology
|August 25, 2014
PubMed
Summary

The brain

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The brain comprises neurons and glial cells.
  • Neurons process information via electrical and chemical signals.
  • Glial cells include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, each with specialized functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the distinct roles of neurons and glial cells in brain function.
  • To highlight the homeostatic, myelinating, and immune functions of glial cells.
  • To emphasize the brain's high metabolic demands.

Main Methods:

  • This abstract is a descriptive overview and does not detail specific experimental methods.
  • It synthesizes existing knowledge on neuronal and glial cell biology.
  • Relies on established principles of neuroscience and cell physiology.

More Related Videos

Application of MultiColor FlpOut Technique to Study High Resolution Single Cell Morphologies and Cell Interactions of Glia in Drosophila
08:30

Application of MultiColor FlpOut Technique to Study High Resolution Single Cell Morphologies and Cell Interactions of Glia in Drosophila

Published on: October 20, 2017

8.0K
The Specification of Telencephalic Glutamatergic Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
10:49

The Specification of Telencephalic Glutamatergic Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: April 14, 2013

10.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Establishing Mixed Neuronal and Glial Cell Cultures from Embryonic Mouse Brains to Study Infection and Innate Immunity
07:41

Author Spotlight: Establishing Mixed Neuronal and Glial Cell Cultures from Embryonic Mouse Brains to Study Infection and Innate Immunity

Published on: June 30, 2023

3.4K
Application of MultiColor FlpOut Technique to Study High Resolution Single Cell Morphologies and Cell Interactions of Glia in Drosophila
08:30

Application of MultiColor FlpOut Technique to Study High Resolution Single Cell Morphologies and Cell Interactions of Glia in Drosophila

Published on: October 20, 2017

8.0K
The Specification of Telencephalic Glutamatergic Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
10:49

The Specification of Telencephalic Glutamatergic Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: April 14, 2013

10.3K

Main Results:

  • Neurons integrate and respond to stimuli.
  • Astrocytes maintain brain homeostasis, regulate neurotransmitters, and form the blood-brain barrier.
  • Oligodendrocytes produce myelin, and microglia perform immune surveillance and remodeling in the central nervous system (CNS).

Conclusions:

  • Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia) are essential for brain homeostasis, neuronal support, and immune defense.
  • The brain is a highly metabolic organ with significant oxygen and nutrient requirements.
  • Understanding these cellular functions is key to comprehending overall brain health and disease.