Neural stem cells
Neural Stem Cells
Neural stem cells (pronunciation: NEU-ral stem cells) are a type of stem cell that can generate the main phenotypes of the nervous system. These cells are characterized by their ability to self-renew and to generate both neurons and glia.
Etymology
The term "neural" is derived from the Latin word "neuralis," which means "pertaining to the nerves." "Stem cell" is a term that was first used in the late 19th century to describe the cells that form the basis of the development of multicellular organisms.
Function
Neural stem cells are primarily found in the subventricular zone and the hippocampus in the adult mammalian brain. They are responsible for the production of new neurons and glial cells, which play a crucial role in the functioning of the nervous system.
Related Terms
- Neurogenesis: The process by which neurons are generated from neural stem cells.
- Multipotent: The ability of a stem cell to differentiate into a limited number of cell types.
- Neuroblast: A cell in an intermediate stage of development towards becoming a neuron.
- Astrocyte: A type of glial cell that supports and protects neurons.
- Oligodendrocyte: A type of glial cell that produces the myelin sheath around neurons.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neural stem cells
- Wikipedia's article - Neural stem cells
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