Guidepost cells

Guidepost cells are a type of neuron that guide the growth of axons in the developing nervous system. They are located along the path of growing axons and provide signals that direct the axons to their targets. The term "guidepost cells" was first used by Pasko Rakic in 1976.

Etymology

The term "guidepost cells" comes from the English words "guidepost" and "cells". "Guidepost" is a term used to describe something that serves as a guide or signpost, and "cells" refers to the basic structural and functional units of all known living organisms.

Function

Guidepost cells function by releasing chemoattractants or chemorepellents that guide the growth of axons. They are critical for the proper wiring of the nervous system. Without guidepost cells, axons may not reach their correct destinations, leading to improper connections and potential neurological disorders.

Related Terms

• Neuron: A neuron is a nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system. Neurons are similar to other cells in the human body in a number of ways, but there is one key difference between neurons and other cells. Neurons are specialized to transmit information throughout the body.
• Axon: An axon is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that typically conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.
• Chemoattractant: A chemoattractant is a chemical substance that induces chemotaxis - the movement of an organism or cell in response to a chemical stimulus.
• Chemorepellent: A chemorepellent is a chemical substance that induces a cell or organism to move away from it.

See Also

• Neurodevelopment
• Axon guidance
• Chemotaxis

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