What is the blood-brain barrier?
Q: What is the blood-brain barrier?
A: The blood-brain barrier is a permeability barrier that controls what gets into the brain from the bloodstream.
Q: What can pass through the blood-brain barrier?
A: Water, glucose, and amino acids are some of the things that can pass through the blood-brain barrier.
Q: What harmful things does the blood-brain barrier prevent from getting into the brain?
A: The blood-brain barrier stops many harmful things, like bacteria and viruses, from getting into the brain.
Q: How is the blood-brain barrier formed?
A: The blood-brain barrier is formed by capillary endothelial cells.
Q: How does the blood-brain barrier allow the passage of certain molecules?
A: The blood-brain barrier allows the passage of water, some gases, and lipid-soluble molecules by passive diffusion. It also allows the selective transport of molecules such as glucose and amino acids which are crucial to nerve function.
Q: Can neurotoxins pass through the blood-brain barrier?
A: The blood-brain barrier may prevent the entry of neurotoxins by means of an active transport mechanism.
Q: Are there any areas in the brain without the blood-brain barrier?
A: Yes, a few small areas of the brain do not have a blood-brain barrier.
