Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

Human anatomy is the scientific study of the body's structures. Some of these structures are very small and can only be observed and analyzed with the assistance of a microscope. Other larger structures can readily be seen, manipulated, measured, and weighed. The word "anatomy" comes from a Greek root that means "to cut apart." Human anatomy was first studied by observing the body's exterior and the wounds of soldiers and other injuries. Later, physicians were allowed to dissect the bodies of...

Neurons: The Axon

Neurons: The Axon

Axons are long, cytoplasmic processes of nerve cells capable of propagating electrical impulses known as action potentials. The cytoplasm or axoplasm of an axon contains neurofibrils, neurotubules, small vesicles, lysosomes, mitochondria, and various enzymes, all encased within the axolemma, the plasma membrane of the axon.
The axon attaches to the cell body at a cone-shaped elevation called the axon hillock. The initial part of the axon, closest to the hillock, is known as the initial segment.

Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm

Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm

The normal cardiac rhythm is a synchronized electrical activity that facilitates the regular and coordinated contraction of the heart muscle. This process is essential for efficient blood circulation throughout the body. The fundamental elements involved in establishing and maintaining this rhythm include the unique electrical properties of cardiac muscle cells, the sinoatrial (SA) node's pacemaker function, the specialized conducting system, and the ionic mechanisms underlying each phase of...

Generation of Action Potential in Skeletal Muscles

Generation of Action Potential in Skeletal Muscles

Every cell in the body maintains a membrane potential due to an uneven distribution of positive and negative charges across its plasma membrane. The membrane potential is measured in millivolts and quantifies the difference in charge across the membrane.
Like neurons, muscle cells are also regarded as excitable due to their capacity to change in response to stimuli, primarily due to voltage-gated ion channels embedded in their plasma membranes, which get activated by alterations in the cell's...

Microscopic Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles

Microscopic Anatomy of Skeletal Muscles

Skeletal muscle cells, also called muscle fibers, are distinctly elongated, multi-nucleated, slender biological units. They are packed with specialized structures designed to facilitate their primary function, which is contraction.
The muscle sarcolemma is a plasma membrane enclosing each muscle cell that conducts electrical signals called action potentials. The sarcolemma extends into the cell to form T-tubules, ensuring the neural impulses are uniformly distributed across the entire muscle...

Neuron Structure

Neuron Structure

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Editorial: Axon neurobiology: updates in functional and structural dynamics.

Frontiers in cellular neuroscience·2026

Same author

Unreliable homeostatic action potential broadening in cultured dissociated neurons.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Same author

Visual activity enhances neuronal excitability in thalamic relay neurons.

Science advances·2025

Same author

Voltage-gated ion channels in epilepsies: circuit dysfunctions and treatments.

Trends in pharmacological sciences·2024

Same author

Inducing Long-Term Plasticity of Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability in Neurons of the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus.

Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE·2024

Same author

cAMP reduces action potential amplitude and conduction velocity over long axonal distance.

The Journal of physiology·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Electromechanical Assessment of Optogenetically Modulated Cardiomyocyte Activity

Electromechanical Assessment of Optogenetically Modulated Cardiomyocyte Activity

Published on: March 5, 2020

Axon physiology.

Dominique Debanne¹, Emilie Campanac, Andrzej Bialowas

¹Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U.641 and Université de la Méditerranée, Faculté de Médecine Secteur Nord, Marseille, France. dominique.debanne@univmed.fr

Physiological Reviews

|April 30, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Axons perform complex computations beyond simple signal transmission, influencing neuronal timing and synaptic efficacy. This research explores these axonal functions and their regulation in neurological disorders.

More Related Videos

Isolation, Culture, and Functional Characterization of Adult Mouse Cardiomyoctyes

Isolation, Culture, and Functional Characterization of Adult Mouse Cardiomyoctyes

Published on: September 24, 2013

In-depth Physiological Analysis of Defined Cell Populations in Acute Tissue Slices of the Mouse Vomeronasal Organ

In-depth Physiological Analysis of Defined Cell Populations in Acute Tissue Slices of the Mouse Vomeronasal Organ

Published on: September 10, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Electromechanical Assessment of Optogenetically Modulated Cardiomyocyte Activity

Electromechanical Assessment of Optogenetically Modulated Cardiomyocyte Activity

Published on: March 5, 2020

Isolation, Culture, and Functional Characterization of Adult Mouse Cardiomyoctyes

Isolation, Culture, and Functional Characterization of Adult Mouse Cardiomyoctyes

Published on: September 24, 2013

In-depth Physiological Analysis of Defined Cell Populations in Acute Tissue Slices of the Mouse Vomeronasal Organ

In-depth Physiological Analysis of Defined Cell Populations in Acute Tissue Slices of the Mouse Vomeronasal Organ

Published on: September 10, 2016

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular Biology
Computational Neuroscience

Background:

Traditionally, axons are viewed as passive conduits for action potential propagation.
Axon dysfunction is implicated in numerous neurological disorders, affecting both central and peripheral nervous systems.
Emerging evidence reveals a more dynamic and computational role for axons.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the complex computational functions of axons beyond simple signal transmission.
To review the role of intrinsic voltage-gated ionic currents and axonal geometry in neuronal operations.
To discuss the implications of axonal computation in neuronal communication dynamics and neurological disorders.

Main Methods:

Review of recent scientific literature on axonal function and computation.
Analysis of voltage-gated ionic currents and axonal geometry.
Discussion of evidence linking axonal computation to short-term neuronal communication dynamics.

Main Results:

Axons possess a richer functional and computational repertoire than previously understood.
Axonal computations, influenced by ionic currents and geometry, impact brain circuit signal processing, neuronal timing, and synaptic efficacy.
Neuronal activity dynamically regulates axon morphology and function across development and adulthood.

Conclusions:

Axons are active computational units, not just passive transmission lines.
Understanding axonal computation is crucial for deciphering neurological disorders and developing therapeutic strategies.
Axonal plasticity in response to neuronal activity highlights their dynamic role in neural circuits.