
To tell:
Why it is important that the cells forming the blood vessels of the spinal cord and brain should be tight against one another by forming a blood-brain barrier.
Introduction:
The blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord are lined on the inside with specialized endothelial cells. These endothelial cells are stuck together very tightly and forming 'tight junctions'.

Explanation of Solution
The spinal cord extends down from the brain to the lumbar region (lower back). Below lumbar region, a package of nerves called the cauda equina is seen. This bundle of nerves resembles the tail of a horse. The dura mater is a tough fibrous sheath which provides a flexible and strong covering for the delicate organs of the central nervous system (CNS). It acts as a barrier and prevents the spread of infections from the bones. The arachnoid mater is located deep to the dura mater is the arachnoid mater which contains many branching fibers, which gives the appearance of a spider web. The subarachnoid space is the cavities found in between the arachnoid mater fibers. Pia mater is the internal layer, which is pressed near to the spinal cord and brain. Blood vessels situated on the top of the pia mater supplies the central nervous system with blood. These blood vessel walls are composed of tightly packed cells that form the blood-brain barrier, thereby preventing the entry of microbes and other large molecules into the subarachnoid space. So the infections of blood do not spread easily to the CNS.
It is important that the cells that are involved in the formation of the blood vessels of the spinal cord and brain should be tight against with each other, forming a blood-brain barrier to prevent the entry of microbes from blood to subarachnoid space and spread the infection to the CNS.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 20 Solutions
Pearson eText Bauman Microbiology with Diseases by Body Systems -- Instant Access (Pearson+)
- Plating 50 microliters of a sample diluted by a factor of 10-6 produced 91 colonies. What was the originalcell density (CFU/ml) in the sample?arrow_forwardEvery tutor here has got this wrong, don't copy off them.arrow_forwardSuppose that the population from question #1 (data is in table below) is experiencing inbreeding depression (F=.25) (and no longer experiencing natural selection). Calculate the new expected genotype frequencies (f) in this population after one round of inbreeding. Please round to 3 decimal places. Genotype Adh Adh Number of Flies 595 Adh Adh 310 Adhs Adhs 95 Total 1000 fladh Adh- flAdn Adh fAdhs Adharrow_forward
- Which of the following best describes why it is difficult to develop antiviral drugs? Explain why. A. antiviral drugs are very difficult to develop andhave no side effects B. viruses are difficult to target because they usethe host cell’s enzymes and ribosomes tometabolize and replicate C. viruses are too small to be targeted by drugs D. viral infections usually clear up on their ownwith no problemsarrow_forwardThis question has 3 parts (A, B, & C), and is under the subject of Nutrition. Thank you!arrow_forwardThey got this question wrong the 2 previous times I uploaded it here, please make sure it's correvct this time.arrow_forward
- This question has multiple parts (A, B & C), and under the subject of Nutrition. Thank you!arrow_forwardCalculate the CFU/ml of a urine sample if 138 E. coli colonies were counted on a Nutrient Agar Plate when0.5 mls were plated on the NA plate from a 10-9 dilution tube. You must highlight and express your answerin scientific notatioarrow_forwardDon't copy off the other answer if there is anyarrow_forward
- Medical Terminology for Health Professions, Spira...Health & NutritionISBN:9781305634350Author:Ann Ehrlich, Carol L. Schroeder, Laura Ehrlich, Katrina A. SchroederPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...BiologyISBN:9781305073951Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning



