# DBT JRF 2022 — Question 70

Exam: DBT JRF 2022 · Section: B · Topic: Physiology › Glial Cells & Brain Function · Difficulty: Medium

## Question

Which one of the following is NOT a function of the glial cells in the brain?

## Options

- **A.** Transporting neurotransmitter vesicles from soma to terminal.
- **B.** Directing axons to their targets.
- **C.** Promoting the survival of nascent neurons.
- **D.** Forming the synapse.

## Answer

Option A

## Explanation

Axonal transport of neurotransmitter vesicles: Neurotransmitter-containing vesicles are synthesised in the neuronal cell body (soma) and must be transported to the nerve terminal (axon terminus) along the axon, which can be up to 1 metre long in humans. Transport mechanism: • Anterograde (soma → terminal): performed by KINESIN motor proteins moving along microtubules (+ end-directed). • Retrograde (terminal → soma): performed by DYNEIN motor proteins. Key point: This transport occurs WITHIN the neuron itself via its own cytoskeletal machinery — it is NOT performed by glial cells. Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells) provide support functions (myelination, metabolic support, ionic balance) but do NOT transport neurotransmitters within neurons. Answer: Axonal transport is done by kinesin motor proteins along microtubules within the neuron.

Source: https://mypyqbuddy.com/questions/which-one-of-the-following-is-not-a-6a104cd5920734408bc0c755