Which glial cells phagocytize bacterial cells and debris in the CNS?

Which glial cells phagocytize bacterial cells and debris in the CNS?

• A. Astrocytes
• B. Oligodendrocytes
• C. Microglial cells
• D. Schwann cells

Answer: (C)

Microglial cells act as the brain’s immune cells. They survey the CNS and, when infection or injury occurs, become activated and phagocytose invading bacteria and cellular debris, functioning as the resident macrophages of the CNS. Astrocytes mainly support neurons, regulate the environment, and help repair tissue. Oligodendrocytes have the role of forming myelin in the CNS, while Schwann cells do so in the PNS. Because microglia are specialized for immune defense and cleanup within the CNS, they are the ones that phagocytose bacterial cells and debris.

Microglial cells act as the brain’s immune cells. They survey the CNS and, when infection or injury occurs, become activated and phagocytose invading bacteria and cellular debris, functioning as the resident macrophages of the CNS. Astrocytes mainly support neurons, regulate the environment, and help repair tissue. Oligodendrocytes have the role of forming myelin in the CNS, while Schwann cells do so in the PNS. Because microglia are specialized for immune defense and cleanup within the CNS, they are the ones that phagocytose bacterial cells and debris.