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there are approximately equal numbers of neurons and glia in the adult human brain (roughly 85 billion of each type)
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neurons are responsible for most of the unique functions of the brain. It is the neurons that sense changes in the environment, communicate these changes to other neurons, and command the body’s responses to these sensations.
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Glia , or glial cells , contribute to brain function mainly by insulating, supporting, and nourishing neighboring neurons. the term glia is derived from the Greek word for “glue,” giving the impression that the main function of these cells is to keep the brain from running out of our ears!
- Chromosomes contain the genetic material DNA ( deoxyribonucleic acid ).
- Your DNA was passed on to you from your parents and it contains the blueprint for your entire body.
- The DNA in each of your neurons is the same, and it is the same as the DNA in the cells of your body organs.
- What distinguishes a neuron from a cell are the specific parts of the DNA that are used to assemble the cell. These segments of DNA are called genes.
Reference: Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain [Bear, Mark F., Connors, Barry W., Paradiso, Michael A.]