What would happen if there were no Schwann cells? Multiple Choice Bacteria and viruses would accumulate in the brain and would slowly cause neural destruction. The heart would beat too rapidly, exceeding 180 beats per minute (normal is 80 beats per minute). An Increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the spinal cord and brain would result in death. Muscles would not be able to contract and the body would be paralyzed.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: Muscles would not be able to contract and the body would be paralyzed.
Explanation:
Schwann cells are a type of glial cell found in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Their primary role is to form the myelin sheath around peripheral nerve fibers. Myelin is an insulating layer that speeds up the transmission of electrical impulses along nerve cells, enabling fast and efficient communication between neurons and muscles.
If there were no Schwann cells, myelination would not occur in the PNS. This would significantly affect the conduction of nerve signals, especially in motor neurons, which are responsible for controlling muscle contraction. Without the myelin sheath, the speed of nerve impulse transmission would drastically decrease, leading to delayed or impaired signaling from the brain to the muscles. In severe cases, nerve impulses might fail to reach the muscles altogether, resulting in muscle weakness, loss of muscle control, and paralysis. This condition is similar to what is observed in certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, where Schwann cells are dysfunctional.
The other options are not directly related to the absence of Schwann cells:
- Bacteria and viruses accumulating in the brain is unrelated to Schwann cells.
- Schwann cells do not regulate heart rate, so an increase in heart rate would not result from their absence.
- An increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) would typically relate to conditions like hydrocephalus, not the lack of Schwann cells.
In summary, Schwann cells are essential for proper nerve function and without them, muscle contraction would be impaired, leading to paralysis.
