User:Kconc003/sandbox

The article I am going to work on can be found here: Axolemma

Evaluation

This article is missing a lot of citations. The way the information reads can be improved, and the information could be divided into different sections. The histology external link isn't good, so i could delete it, or find something else to use. The level of language is high - I could work on bringing it down to a language level that you would find in an encyclopedia. I could also add an image to the article. I could add some new information like the composition of the axolemma, nodes of Ranvier, the medical relevance of the axolemma, etc.

Notes

- I'm going to create new subsections: general, composition, function, polarization.

- I'm going to add a histology figure.

* The citations in superscript and blue font are my citations, and the numbers within the brackets are in reference to the original author's citations - which can be seen on the original article.

Axolemma

The axolemma (axo- meaning axon; -lemma meaning membrane or envelope) is the cell membrane of an axon. The axolemma is the cell membrane of an axon. The similar term axoplasm refers to the cytoplasm of an axon. The axolemma is a three-layered, bilipid membrane. Under standard electron microscope preparations, the structure is approximately 8 nanometers thick.

An animated diagram and histology slide of an axon, that shows the location of the axolemma relative to the axon.

Composition

The axolemma is stabilized by a subjacent part of the axoplasm, where the axoplasmic cortex is formed of condensed cytoskeletal microtrabecular matrix [Not necessary]. The skeletal framework of this structure is formed by a spectrum of hexagonal or pentagonal arrangement on the inside of the cell membrane, as well as actin connected to the transmembrane. The metric cellular matrix is bound by transmembrane proteins, including the β1-integrin, to the cytoskeleton via the membrane skeleton.

Function

The axolemma is responsible for maintaining the membrane potential of the axon, and contains ion channels through which ions can flow rapidly [1] [Not mentioned within source]. The axolemma is responsible for relaying signals between the neuron and it's Schwann Cells. These signals control the proliferative and myelin-producing functions of the Schwann Cells, and also partly play a role in the regulation of the size of the axon.

Polarization

When the voltage inside the axon changes, and depolarization or hyperpolarization of the membrane can occur. Adequate depolarization can lead to an action potential, which travels down the axon in a self-propagating manner as more ion channels open due to stimulation by the influx of positive ions . An unmyelinated axolemma has a high capacitance which imposes a restraint on the conduction speed.^{[citation needed]} [No citation]. The constricted axon segment is one of the few locations in which there is ten times more schwann cell membrane than axolemma, while other portions they have equal distributions[3] [Not necessary].

If the axolemma is damaged, it becomes unable to perform its vital role of maintaining the concentration gradient of ions inside and outside the cell. When ions move down their concentration gradient into the cell, they can cause a number of different cellular processes that may lead to cell damage or cell death ^{[citation needed]} [No citation].

Axolemma is involved in preventing the hyperexcitability of gray matter axons [Not mentioned within source].