Which glial cells myelinate axons in the central nervous system?

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Multiple Choice

Which glial cells myelinate axons in the central nervous system?

Oligodendrocytes are the glial cells responsible for myelinating axons in the central nervous system. Myelin acts as an insulating sheath that speeds electrical signaling by enabling saltatory conduction along the axon. In the CNS, one oligodendrocyte can extend its processes to wrap multiple nearby axons, forming several myelin segments along different fibers. In contrast, Schwann cells perform myelination in the peripheral nervous system, with each Schwann cell wrapping around a single axon segment. Microglia serve immune roles, and astrocytes provide structural support and metabolic regulation, but neither forms CNS myelin.

Oligodendrocytes are the glial cells responsible for myelinating axons in the central nervous system. Myelin acts as an insulating sheath that speeds electrical signaling by enabling saltatory conduction along the axon. In the CNS, one oligodendrocyte can extend its processes to wrap multiple nearby axons, forming several myelin segments along different fibers. In contrast, Schwann cells perform myelination in the peripheral nervous system, with each Schwann cell wrapping around a single axon segment. Microglia serve immune roles, and astrocytes provide structural support and metabolic regulation, but neither forms CNS myelin.

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