Glial Cells Quiz: 15 Questions With Answers
Updated
Glial cells are roughly as numerous as neurons and are essential for brain function. Astrocytes maintain the blood-brain barrier and support neurons; oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells myelinate axons in the CNS and PNS respectively; microglia are immune defenders and ependymal cells line ventricles.
This 15-question quiz tests your knowledge of the major glial cell types in the nervous system: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells, microglia, and ependymal cells, along with the blood-brain barrier. It is designed for students in neuroscience, biology, or related fields who want to reinforce their understanding with immediate feedback and explanations.
Before starting, remember that glial cells are not just support cells—they actively shape brain function. The key distinction is location: oligodendrocytes myelinate in the CNS, while Schwann cells do so in the PNS. Astrocytes and microglia maintain homeostasis and immune defense, and the blood-brain barrier is a joint effort of endothelial cells and astrocytes.
The questions
Which glial cell is star-shaped and helps form the blood-brain barrier?
In the peripheral nervous system, which cell forms the myelin sheath around axons?
Which glial cells are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system?
Ependymal cells line which structures?
What is the main function of oligodendrocytes?
Which cell type is primarily responsible for the glial scar formed after central nervous system injury?
The blood-brain barrier is primarily formed by tight junctions between which cells?
Which glial cell is found in the peripheral nervous system and also guides regenerating axons after injury?
Microglia originate from which embryonic source?
Which glial cell type has cilia that help circulate cerebrospinal fluid?
In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks myelin in the central nervous system. Which cell is directly destroyed?
What is the role of astrocyte endfeet in relation to the blood-brain barrier?
Which of the following is a key difference between oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells?
Which of the following brain structures lacks a blood-brain barrier?
In the corpus callosum, which glial cell is most abundant and responsible for myelinating the axons that connect the two hemispheres?
0 of 15 answered · 0 correct
Cheat sheet: key terms
| Astrocyte | Star-shaped glial cell that regulates the extracellular environment and contributes to the blood-brain barrier. |
|---|---|
| Oligodendrocyte | Myelinates multiple axons in the central nervous system. |
| Schwann cell | Myelinates a single axon segment in the peripheral nervous system and aids regeneration. |
| Microglia | Resident immune cells of the central nervous system that phagocytose debris and pathogens. |
| Ependymal cell | Lines the ventricles and central canal, with cilia that circulate cerebrospinal fluid. |
| Blood-brain barrier | Selective barrier formed by tight junctions between endothelial cells, reinforced by astrocyte endfeet. |
Answers explained
Show all 15 answers
- Which glial cell is star-shaped and helps form the blood-brain barrier? Astrocyte. Astrocytes have a star-like morphology and their endfeet surround blood vessels, contributing to BBB integrity.
- In the peripheral nervous system, which cell forms the myelin sheath around axons? Schwann cell. Schwann cells are the myelinating glia of the PNS; oligodendrocytes perform this role in the CNS.
- Which glial cells are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system? Microglia. Microglia act as macrophages, clearing debris and responding to injury or infection in the CNS.
- Ependymal cells line which structures? The ventricles and central canal. Ependymal cells form an epithelial layer lining the ventricular system and the spinal cord's central canal.
- What is the main function of oligodendrocytes? Myelinating multiple axons in the CNS. One oligodendrocyte can extend processes to wrap myelin around several axons, increasing conduction speed.
- Which cell type is primarily responsible for the glial scar formed after central nervous system injury? Astrocytes. Reactive astrocytes proliferate and form a glial scar, which can inhibit axon regeneration in the CNS.
- The blood-brain barrier is primarily formed by tight junctions between which cells? Endothelial cells. Capillary endothelial cells in the brain have continuous tight junctions that restrict paracellular diffusion.
- Which glial cell is found in the peripheral nervous system and also guides regenerating axons after injury? Schwann cell. Schwann cells form bands of Büngner that provide a pathway for regrowing axons in the PNS.
- Microglia originate from which embryonic source? Yolk sac progenitors. Microglia derive from primitive macrophages in the yolk sac and colonize the CNS early in development, not from circulating monocytes.
- Which glial cell type has cilia that help circulate cerebrospinal fluid? Ependymal cells. Ependymal cells have motile cilia on their apical surface that beat to move CSF through the ventricles.
- In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks myelin in the central nervous system. Which cell is directly destroyed? Oligodendrocytes. MS is characterized by loss of oligodendrocytes and their myelin sheaths; Schwann cells are spared because they are in the PNS.
- What is the role of astrocyte endfeet in relation to the blood-brain barrier? They release factors that induce and maintain barrier properties. Astrocyte endfeet surround capillaries and release signals that promote tight junction formation and transporter expression in endothelial cells.
- Which of the following is a key difference between oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells? Oligodendrocytes are found in the CNS; Schwann cells are found in the PNS. Oligodendrocytes are exclusively CNS glia, whereas Schwann cells are exclusively PNS glia; this anatomical difference underlies their distinct regenerative capacities.
- Which of the following brain structures lacks a blood-brain barrier? Circumventricular organs. Circumventricular organs (e.g., area postrema, median eminence) have fenestrated capillaries, allowing them to sense blood-borne signals.
- In the corpus callosum, which glial cell is most abundant and responsible for myelinating the axons that connect the two hemispheres? Oligodendrocytes. The corpus callosum is a major white matter tract in the CNS, so its axons are myelinated by oligodendrocytes.
See it in 3D: open the interactive brain and click any region, or ask the AI coach anything you missed.