Final answer:
Deprivation of NGF in nerve cells leads to decreased synaptic efficiency due to lack of protein synthesis and reduced responsiveness to glutamate, eventually culminating in internal chemical imbalances caused by reactive astrocytes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When nerve cells are deprived of NGF (Nerve Growth Factor), several negative outcomes can occur. These cells may struggle to receive input effectively, hindering neural communication. Moreover, without NGF, neurons cannot synthesize proteins efficiently, which is crucial for their survival and function.
In absence of NGF, mechanisms like low-frequency stimulation lead to a different Ca²+ signaling cascade where the AMPA receptor is removed from the membrane. This change makes the nerve cell less responsive to glutamate, an important neurotransmitter.
Reactive astrocytes may further exacerbate the situation by impairing the ability to maintain the local chemical environment, resulting in a loss of K+ buffering ability and potential alteration of pump functions. This could result in a 'leaking' of sodium ions into body cells, creating a sodium/potassium imbalance, which disrupts the internal chemistry of cells, hence preventing them from functioning normally.