Assignment #1: Cells and Neuroanatomy
The cell type I would most like to be is an astrocyte. I thought being a microglia would be
interesting too because of their role as the primary immune system of the brain, but then I
remembered that astrocytes help microglia to regulate immune function in the brain. Besides,
astrocytes are also responsible for regulating the transport of nutrients from capillaries to the
brain and provide energy for the cells in the brain. What I like most about them, though, is that
they can communicate bidirectionally with neurons, so they receive and transmit information,
and that they help neurons replenish their neurotransmitter stores. One more detail that did
influence my decision is their shape. How cool would it be to be a star-shaped cell?
Regarding the type of neural region, I think I would like to be the cerebellum. I grew up doing a
lot of sports and physical activities, so I feel like I owe a lot of the fun and enjoyment I
experienced to my cerebellum. Since it is in charge of posture and equilibrium, I know I would
have never been able to do any sports without it. Its role in motor learning and fine motor control
also seems crucial, in my opinion, so it would be really great to be in charge of those things.