Nerve cells get a lot of attention, but they couldn't work without their helpers. Glial cells feed, protect, and clean up after them.
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Nerve cells send messages around your body. Glial cells (say GLEE-ul) are their helpers.
The word glia comes from an old word for glue. Long ago, scientists thought these cells just held the brain together. Now we know they do much more!
Your brain has about as many glial cells as nerve cells. That's tens of billions of helpers!
Scroll up to the 3D model and press Send a message to watch a signal zip along the coated wire. Then press Clean up.
Scientists are still discovering new jobs that glial cells do. Some help nerve cells make connections when you learn something new.
Scientists think your brain does extra cleaning while you sleep, and glial cells help with that. Getting a good night's sleep is a great way to look after your brain!
The fatty myelin coat is white. That's why some parts of your brain are called white matter.