glial cell

What: "Neurons are like telephone wires; they're nerve cells that connect to form circuits that carry information back and forth. Glia, or glial cells, are like telephone poles and insulation; they provide support for the neurons."

Writer: Dr. Louis A. Pena

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Date: May 8 2013 12:31 PM

What: "Glial cells don't get much attention in neurobiology textbooks because neurons get all the press, even though glial cells are about 10 times more common than neurons, but this would be like on a football team where the quarterback gets all the publicity and the linemen are there and important but don't get any publicity. Glial cells are like the linemen; they have vital roles in brain function."

Writer: Professor Wayne Drev

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Date: May 8 2013 12:33 PM

What: "Glial cells are like nurses. Neurons are like doctors. Sure, neurons are more qualified to get the electrical impulse to the post-synaptic cell because of their structure, but glial cells are doing 90% of the job by actually conducting the impulse. In other words, a hospital (your brain) will fail if its nurses (glia) aren't doing their jobs. Respect."

Writer: neurogeek

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Date: May 8 2013 12:37 PM

What: "The other analogy I have heard is that glial cells are like the sober friends of drunk, stumbling neurons, carting them home after an extensive night of firing action potentials, running low on transmitters, and throwing up ions until their electric potential is completely imbalanced."

Writer: Tantalus Prime

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Date: May 8 2013 12:38 PM