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- Basics
- Communication of Cells
Nerve Cells in Conversation
No chaos despite sensory overload – neurons communicate silently, efficiently, and at breakneck speed.
16.04.2012
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- Basics
- Communication of Cells
Electrical Potentials: The Language of Neurons
Neurons do not simply transmit stimuli; processing is a sophisticated process.
13.04.2012
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- Glossary
Threshold potential
In order for an action potential to be triggered, the membrane potential at the axon hillock of a neuron must exceed the threshold value of approximately –50 mV (relative to the resting potential of –70 mV). This is the threshold potential. If the depolarization remains below this threshold, no action potential is triggered.
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- Glossary
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.
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- Discover
- Milestones
John Eccles: Across the Gap
John Eccles disproved his own theories. In doing so, he helped to elucidate synaptic transmission.
06.06.2013
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- Basics
- Communication of Cells
On the Scent of Cell Communication
A lot has to happen before nerve cells reveal their secrets. A historical review.
22.12.2023
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- Basics
- Communication of Cells
Neurotransmitters: Messenger Molecules in the Brain
“Happy hormone” & Co.: Without neurotransmitters, nerve cells would not be able to communicate.
05.08.2025
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- Glossary
Ion channel
Ion channels are embedded in the cell membrane of nerve cells and all other cells in the body. They enable electrically charged particles, known as ions, to pass through the cell membrane into and out of the cell. They can therefore influence the membrane potential of a cell and trigger an action potential. A large number of different ion channels are known. Normally, ion channels have a specific permeability for only one type of ion, e.g., sodium ions or potassium ions. These are referred to as sodium channels or potassium channels, respectively.
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- News from the Institutes
Making up for lost time: Inhibitory neurons catch up during brain development
New insights into the emergence of brain cells that keep neural activity in balance
08.07.2025
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- News from the Institutes
AI looks deeper into visual system
Artificial intelligence models provide insights to understand the processing of visual stimuli in the brain
10.04.2025
