How Do You Spell AXOPLASM?

1. Axoplasm is a term used in neurobiology to refer to the cytoplasm within a nerve fiber (axon). The axon is a specialized extension of a neuron that carries electrical impulses away from the nerve cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands. Axoplasm is a gel-like substance that fills the interior of the axon and contains various organelles, proteins, and other molecular components necessary for the functioning and maintenance of the axon.

   The axoplasm is surrounded by a lipid-rich membrane called the axolemma, which acts as a protective barrier for the axon. Within the axoplasm, there are microtubules, neurofilaments, and other cytoskeletal elements that help in maintaining the structural integrity of the axon and provide pathways for transport of molecules and organelles along the axon.

   Axoplasm is vital for the conduction of nerve impulses. It facilitates the transmission of electrical signals along the axon by allowing the movement of charged ions such as sodium and potassium, which are essential for the generation and propagation of action potentials. The axoplasm also plays a role in synaptic transmission, the process by which nerve cells communicate with each other, as it contains neurotransmitters and synaptic vesicles that are released at the synapse.

   Understanding the composition and dynamics of axoplasm is crucial for studying various neurological disorders and developing treatments for nerve injuries. The study of axoplasmic transport, the movement of molecules and organelles within the axoplasm, is of particular interest in neurodegenerative diseases as disruptions in this process can lead to the accumulation of toxic substances and subsequent neuronal damage.

2. Neuroplasm of the axis-cylinder.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for AXOPLASM

The word "axoplasm" is derived from two components: "axo" and "plasm".

- "Axo" comes from the Greek word "axios", meaning "axle" or "axis". In the context of neurons, axons are long, slender extensions of nerve cells that carry electrical impulses.

- "Plasm" comes from the Greek word "plasma", which means "something molded" or "something formed". In biology, "plasm" refers to the living substance or fluid contained within cells.

Therefore, "axoplasm" combines these two elements to describe the cytoplasmic content specifically found within axons, the nerve fibers of a neuron.

Plural form of AXOPLASM is AXOPLASMS