Electrical Potentials: The Language of Neurons

Neuron

A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system that is responsible for processing and transmitting information. It receives signals via its dendrites and transmits them via its Axon. Transmission occurs electrically within the neuron and, between neurons, usually chemically via synapses.

Action potential

In excitable cells (e.g., neurons or muscle cells), very rapid changes in electrical potential occur across the cell membrane. This event is the basis for signal conduction along the axon of the nerve cell. The Action potential continues along the cell membrane and, according to the all-or-nothing principle, only occurs when the cell has been sufficiently excited.

Neuron

A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system that is responsible for processing and transmitting information. It receives signals via its dendrites and transmits them via its axon. Transmission occurs electrically within the neuron and, between neurons, usually chemically via synapses.

Axon

axon

The axon is the extension of the nerve cell that is responsible for conducting nerve impulses to the next cell. An axon can branch out many times, reaching a large number of downstream nerve cells. It can be more than a meter long. The axon ends in one or more synapses.

Action potential

In excitable cells (e.g., neurons or muscle cells), very rapid changes in electrical potential occur across the cell membrane. This event is the basis for signal conduction along the axon of the nerve cell. The action potential continues along the cell membrane and, according to the all-or-nothing principle, only occurs when the cell has been sufficiently excited.