Blood Brain Barrier Essay - 3024 Words

The brain is permeated by a vast network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries- so tiny and thin that blood cells have to pass through in single file. In the brain alone there are enough capillaries that if you laid them all out end to end they would stretch from Tucson to Tijuana. These capillaries are surrounded by a single layer of cells. That layer of cells forms a barrier between the capillaries and the cells and fluid of the brain. These barrier-forming cells are called endothelial cells. You can think of endothelial as a synonym for lining or even just barrier. When we use the phrase Blood Brain Barrier, (which for obvious reasons well refer to as BBB from here on out!), were talking about all of these†¦show more content†¦The BBB also incorporates mechanisms to shepherd or transport certain substances *in*: GLUCOSE- the universal energy source, which is needed by every cell in your body... OXYGEN- electron acceptor par excellence, do without it and die... CERTAIN IONS- cations, anions, Chlorine, Calcium, etc.. involved in nervous system transmission... Finally, the BBB also lets various substances in because it either cant pump them out or its mechanisms cant tell the difference between them and one of the substances that it naturally tranports across: ETHANOL- enters by the same pathways that let glucose in, which is why drinking alcohol affects the brain... VITAMIN C... THC, NICOTINE, CAFFEINE... Obstacles For Scientists The BBB evolved as an extremely tight barrier to protect the brain from potentially toxic compounds. Though it is an indispensable part of the Central Nervous System, its tightness makes delivering therapeutic drugs to the brain very difficult. Question: What makes the BBB such a tight barrier? Answer: the three components- the phospholipid bilayer, influx pumps, and efflux pumps- discussed below. # Phospholipid Bilayer Phospholipid bilayer The endothelial cells of the BBB are surrounded by a phospholipid bilayer that is only permeable to very small and/or lipid soluble molecules. Lipid solubleShow MoreRelatedThe On Blood Brain Barrier967 Words   |  4 PagesBlood Brain Barrier One of the most important properties of BBB is that it separates the brain tissue from the blood circulation of the CNS. By that it consists of three parts: the layer of endothelial cells connected through tight junctions, basal membrane, and astrocytes and pericytes. Its main function is it only select molecules to pass from the bloodstream into the fluid that bathes the brain, whereas vital nutrients get in, toxins and pathogens are blocked. 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