Question

What are microglia?

Answer 1

Microglia:

1. Microglia are phagocytic specialised macrophages that protect neurons in the central nervous system.
2. Ectodermal tissue gives rise to microglia.
3. They're made up of the initial wave of mononuclear cells, which emerge early in development from yolk sac blood cells and colonize the brain shortly after neural precursors begin to differentiate.
4. These cells can be found in the brain and spine in any location. Microglial cells are smaller than macroglial cells, with oblong nuclei and a morphology that changes over time.
5. When the brain is disturbed, they move about inside it and expand.
6. In a healthy central nervous system, microglia actively sample all aspects of their surroundings (macroglia, neurons, and blood vessels).