2026 Galen Anatomy and Physiology 1 Theory Exam 2 Complete Practice Test

Two kinds of cells make up nervous tissue: neurons, which carry and transmit electrical signals, and neuroglia (also called glial cells), which provide support, nourishment, insulation, and immune protection for neurons. Neurons rely on glial cells for maintaining the chemical environment, supplying nutrients, and forming myelin sheaths that speed up conduction (oligodendrocytes in the CNS and Schwann cells in the PNS). Glial cells also include astrocytes and microglia, which help maintain homeostasis and defend against pathogens. Because neuroglia specifically refer to the non-neuronal support cells, this pairing best describes the two neural cell types.