Research On Cells

Research on Cells: Memory Impairment and Growing Older
What do researchers think is one cause of memory impairment related to growing older? What does new research show that may be able to helpreverse this process?
The brain and spinal cord are made up of many cells, including neurons and glial cells. Neurons are cells that send and receive electro-chemical signals to and from the brain andnervous system. There are about 100 billion neurons in the brain. There are many more glial cells; they provide support functions for the neurons, and are far more numerous than neurons.
There are manytype of neurons. They vary in size from 4 microns (.004 mm) to 100 microns (.1 mm) in diameter. Their length varies from a fraction of an inch to several feet.
Neurons are nerve cells that transmitnerve signals to and from the brain at up to 200 mph. The neuron consists of a cell body (or soma) with branching dendrites (signal receivers) and a projection called an axon, which conduct the nervesignal. At the other end of the axon, the axon terminals transmit the electro-chemical signal across a synapse (the gap between the axon terminal and the receiving cell). The word "neuron" was coinedby the German scientist Heinrich Wilhelm Gottfried von Waldeyer-Hartz in 1891 (he also coined the term "chromosome").
The brain is capable of producing new brain cells at any age. In my search onthe internet I found that as the person get older, brain functions also starts to slow down. Memory impairment related to growing older have many possible causes. Researchers says that lifestyle, healthhabits, and daily activities has a big impact on older person's brain.
As we grow older, we experience physiological changes that can cause glitches in brain functions we’ve always taken forgranted. It takes longer to learn and recall information. We’re not as quick as we used to be. In fact, we often mistake this slowing of our mental processes for true memory loss.
Between the causes...