Evidence Suggests That Glia Can Be Electrically Coupled with Neurons

question 9

Essay

Evidence suggests that glia can be electrically coupled with neurons. Describe the nature of these electrical connections.

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Definitions:

Diabetes Mellitus

Metabolic disease in which carbohydrate use is reduced and that of lipid and protein enhanced; caused by a deficiency of insulin or an inability to respond to insulin and is characterized, in more severe cases, by hyperglycemia, glycosuria, water and electrolyte loss, ketoacidosis, and coma.

Proton Pump

An integral membrane protein that builds up a proton gradient across a biological membrane by actively transporting protons.

Electron Transport Chain

An assembly of complex molecules that facilitate the movement of electrons from donating molecules to accepting ones using redox reactions, and this movement is linked with the relocation of protons (H+ ions) through a membrane.

Mitochondrial Matrix

The innermost compartment of the mitochondria, filled with enzymes important for ATP production, mitochondrial DNA, and ribosomes.