Neuron

Definition: Neurons are the main information-processing cells of the nervous system along with supporting cells such as glial cells. Neurons have a cell body, dendrites and axons. Dendrites receive synaptic information from other neurons by transmitters. When the potential change at the axon-hill reaches a critical threshold the cell launches an action potential travelling through the axon which has synaptic connections to the dendrites of other neurons. Most neurons thus use action potentials to send signals over a distance via axons, and neurons communicate with one another using synaptic transmission. While dendritic potential changes add up, the action potential is either generated or not (all- or – nothing principle).

Alternative definition:

Synonym:

References: M.F. Bear, B.W. Connors, and M.A. Paradiso. Neuroscience: Exploring the brain. Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007

https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.24040

https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn.2018.19

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.12.007

Related terms: