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

Ionic Radii03:10

Ionic Radii

33.5K
Ionic radius is the measure used to describe the size of an ion. A cation always has fewer electrons and the same number of protons as the parent atom; it is smaller than the atom from which it is derived. For example, the covalent radius of an aluminum atom (1s22s22p63s23p1) is 118 pm, whereas the ionic radius of an Al3+ (1s22s22p6) is 68 pm. As electrons are removed from the outer valence shell, the remaining core electrons occupying smaller shells experience a greater effective nuclear...
33.5K
Ionic Crystal Structures02:42

Ionic Crystal Structures

17.0K
Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
17.0K
Molecular and Ionic Solids02:54

Molecular and Ionic Solids

20.0K
Crystalline solids are divided into four types: molecular, ionic, metallic, and covalent network based on the type of constituent units and their interparticle interactions.
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
20.0K
Solubility of Ionic Compounds02:55

Solubility of Ionic Compounds

68.1K
Solubility is the measure of the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved in a given quantity of solvent at a given temperature and pressure. Solubility is usually measured in molarity (M) or moles per liter (mol/L). A compound is termed soluble if it dissolves in water.
68.1K
Ionic Bonds00:42

Ionic Bonds

130.5K
Overview
When atoms gain or lose electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration they form ions. Ionic bonds are electrostatic attractions between ions with opposite charges. Ionic compounds are rigid and brittle when solid and may dissociate into their constituent ions in water. Covalent compounds, by contrast, remain intact unless a chemical reaction breaks them.
Opposing Charges Hold Ions Together in Ionic Compounds
Ionic bonds are reversible electrostatic interactions between ions...
130.5K
Ionic Compounds: Formulas and Nomenclature03:34

Ionic Compounds: Formulas and Nomenclature

87.0K
An element composed of atoms that readily lose electrons (a metal) can react with an element composed of atoms that readily gain electrons (a nonmetal) to produce ions through complete electron transfer. The compound formed by this transfer is stabilized by the electrostatic attractions (ionic bonds) between the oppositely charged ions.
87.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Aberrant Potassium Handling by Astrocytes and Epileptic Seizures: A Synthetic Update.

Acta physiologica (Oxford, England)·2026
Same author

Cellular and subcellular heterogeneity of astrocytic Na⁺ homeostasis tuning astrocytes into functionally distinct subgroups in the mouse brain.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Congratulations, JNC Turns 70!

Journal of neurochemistry·2026
Same author

Author Correction: Curing the brain: in search for new astrocyte-specific therapies.

Experimental & molecular medicine·2026
Same author

Mending the blood-brain barrier with photobiomodulation: insights from a humanized tricellular transwell model.

The Journal of physiology·2026
Same author

Curing the brain: in search for new astrocyte-specific therapies.

Experimental & molecular medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Forward Genetic Screen Using Transgenic Calcium Reporter Aequorin to Identify Novel Targets in Calcium Signaling
08:46

Forward Genetic Screen Using Transgenic Calcium Reporter Aequorin to Identify Novel Targets in Calcium Signaling

Published on: August 1, 2020

8.7K

Ionic signalling in astroglia beyond calcium.

Alexei Verkhratsky1,2,3, Verena Untiet2, Christine R Rose4

  • 1Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, M13 9PT, Manchester, UK.

The Journal of Physiology
|February 9, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Astrocytes utilize ionic signals, including calcium and sodium, to maintain brain homeostasis and support neuronal function. These signals are crucial for astroglial excitability and coordinated responses within the central nervous system.

Keywords:
AstrocytesCl- signallingH+ homeostasisK+ homoeostasisNa+ signalling

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Understanding Processing of Olfactory and Spatial Information by Brain with Real-Time Behavioral Analysis
06:21

Author Spotlight: Understanding Processing of Olfactory and Spatial Information by Brain with Real-Time Behavioral Analysis

Published on: September 20, 2024

1.5K
Ex Vivo Imaging of Cell-specific Calcium Signaling at the Tripartite Synapse of the Mouse Diaphragm
08:42

Ex Vivo Imaging of Cell-specific Calcium Signaling at the Tripartite Synapse of the Mouse Diaphragm

Published on: October 4, 2018

8.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Forward Genetic Screen Using Transgenic Calcium Reporter Aequorin to Identify Novel Targets in Calcium Signaling
08:46

Forward Genetic Screen Using Transgenic Calcium Reporter Aequorin to Identify Novel Targets in Calcium Signaling

Published on: August 1, 2020

8.7K
Author Spotlight: Understanding Processing of Olfactory and Spatial Information by Brain with Real-Time Behavioral Analysis
06:21

Author Spotlight: Understanding Processing of Olfactory and Spatial Information by Brain with Real-Time Behavioral Analysis

Published on: September 20, 2024

1.5K
Ex Vivo Imaging of Cell-specific Calcium Signaling at the Tripartite Synapse of the Mouse Diaphragm
08:42

Ex Vivo Imaging of Cell-specific Calcium Signaling at the Tripartite Synapse of the Mouse Diaphragm

Published on: October 4, 2018

8.3K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroimmunology

Background:

  • Astrocytes are key glial cells in the central nervous system, essential for maintaining brain homeostasis.
  • Astroglial functions, including neuronal excitability regulation and synaptic modulation, are closely linked to neuronal activity.
  • These cells support neuronal metabolism, detoxification, and neurotransmitter regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on ionic signaling in astrocytes.
  • To highlight the role of monovalent ions in astroglial function and excitability.
  • To explore how ionic signals mediate homeostatic responses in the central nervous system.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on astroglial ionic signaling.
  • Analysis of research on intercellular communication mediated by ions.
  • Synthesis of data on the role of Ca2+, Na+, Cl-, H+, and K+ in astrocytes.

Main Results:

  • Ionic signals, including Ca2+, Na+, Cl-, H+, and K+, are critical for astroglial homeostatic functions.
  • These ionic signals operate at microdomains, as global events, or as intercellular waves.
  • Astroglial excitability is underpinned by these diverse ionic signaling mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Intercellular ionic signaling is fundamental to astroglial excitability and function.
  • Understanding these ionic mechanisms is key to comprehending central nervous system homeostasis.
  • Astrocytes play a vital role in neuronal support through sophisticated ion-mediated communication.