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 crucial components of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and their primary function is to produce myelin, which is a fatty substance that wraps around the axons of neurons to form myelin sheaths. These sheaths act as insulation and significantly speed up the transmission of electrical signals along nerve fibers.
In the absence of Schwann cells, the myelination process would be compromised, leading to slower nerve signal transmission or even complete signal failure. This would have serious consequences for motor control and sensory perception, as neurons responsible for sending signals to muscles and other tissues would not function efficiently. The result would be a loss of voluntary muscle control and paralysis.
Muscle contraction relies on the efficient transmission of electrical signals from the brain to the muscles via motor neurons. If Schwann cells are absent, the motor neurons’ ability to transmit these signals would be impaired, preventing muscles from contracting effectively. This is because without myelin, the signals from the brain cannot travel at the necessary speed or may not be transmitted at all.
In addition, myelin helps to maintain the integrity of the axons and protects them from damage. Without Schwann cells, axons would become vulnerable to injury or degeneration, further compounding the issue of paralysis.
In summary, Schwann cells are essential for normal neuromuscular function, and without them, the communication between the brain and muscles would be severely disrupted, leading to paralysis and an inability to perform basic motor functions.
