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Related Concept Videos

Neuronal Communication01:28

Neuronal Communication

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Synaptic Signaling01:09

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Most synapses are chemical, meaning an electrical impulse or action potential spurs the release of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The neuron sending the signal is called the presynaptic neuron, and the neuron receiving the signal is the postsynaptic neuron.
The presynaptic neuron fires an action potential that...
Synaptic Signaling01:12

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.
Neurons as Communicators of the Brain01:22

Neurons as Communicators of the Brain

Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, function as the primary transmitters of information throughout the body. Their ability to communicate through electrical and chemical signals is vital for every bodily function, from regulating the heartbeat to processing complex thoughts. Each neuron has three main components: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon, each specialized to facilitate swift and efficient neural communication.
Cell Body
The cell body, also known...
The Synapse02:47

The Synapse

Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Migratory Behavior of Cells Generated in Ganglionic Eminence Cultures
06:34

Migratory Behavior of Cells Generated in Ganglionic Eminence Cultures

Published on: April 21, 2011

Coordinating migratory neuron polarization by numb-ing communication.

Joshua J Breunig1, Pasko Rakic

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.

Developmental Cell
|May 17, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Numb protein is key for guiding migrating cerebellar granule cells toward BDNF signals by regulating cell polarity during development. This finding clarifies how neurons navigate their environment.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Neuronal migration is crucial for brain development.
  • Cerebellar granule cells migrate extensively during development.
  • Extracellular cues and intrinsic cell properties guide this migration.

Discussion:

  • Zhou et al. (2011) investigated the role of Numb in cerebellar granule cell migration.
  • They focused on how Numb mediates the response to Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).
  • The study highlights Numb's function in regulating cell polarity.

Key Insights:

  • Numb acts as a central mediator in the chemotactic response of migrating cerebellar granule cells to BDNF.
  • Numb's regulation of cell polarity is essential for this directed migration.
  • This provides a molecular mechanism linking intrinsic polarity and extracellular signaling.

Outlook:

  • Further research can explore other roles of Numb in neuronal development.
  • Understanding Numb's function may offer insights into developmental neurological disorders.
  • Investigating the downstream effectors of Numb in polarity regulation is warranted.