Which type of brain cells provide structural support and nutrients?

Glia are the type of brain cells that provide essential structural support and nutrients to neurons. Unlike neurons, which are primarily responsible for transmitting electrical signals throughout the nervous system, glial cells perform a variety of supportive roles. They help maintain homeostasis, form myelin (which insulates nerve fibers), and play significant roles in the immune response of the nervous system.

Glial cells, which include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, ensure that neurons have the necessary environment to function properly. Astrocytes, for example, are crucial for maintaining the blood-brain barrier and supplying nutrients like glucose to neurons, while oligodendrocytes are responsible for myelinating axons, which enhances signal transmission.

Other choices, such as dendrites, are extensions of neurons that receive signals, while neurons are the primary cells involved in sending and processing information via action potentials. Synapses refer to the junctions between neurons where communication takes place, but they do not provide structural support or nutrients.