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Neuron Structure

Neuron Structure

Neuron Structure

Neuron Structure

Neurons are the main type of cell in the nervous system that generate and transmit electrochemical signals. They primarily communicate with each other using neurotransmitters at specific junctions called synapses. Neurons come in many shapes that often relate to their function, but most share three main structures: an axon and dendrites that extend out from a cell body.
Structure and Function of Neurons
The neuronal cell body—the soma— houses the nucleus and organelles vital to cellular...

Organization of the Nervous System

Organization of the Nervous System

The nervous system is one of the most complex systems in our body. It is organized into two main divisions: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS, comprising the brain and spinal cord, houses billions of neurons. The brain is housed in the skull, while the spinal cord is linked to the brain through the foramen magnum of the occipital bone and is surrounded by the protective structure of the vertebral column. It is responsible for processing various...

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.

Organization of the Brain

Organization of the Brain

The brain is an integral component of the nervous system and serves as the center for processing sensory inputs, making decisions, and directing bodily actions. This complex organ is organized into three primary sections: the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain, each responsible for a range of vital functions.
Hindbrain
The hindbrain, located at the base of the brain, plays a vital role in regulating automatic processes that sustain life. It includes the medulla oblongata, which is essential for...

Overview of Synapses

Overview of Synapses

A synapse is a specialized structure where two neurons connect, allowing them to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. It is the point of communication between neurons. The term "synapse" is derived from the Greek word "synapsis," which means "conjunction." The entire process of neural communication revolves around the synapse. When activated, a neuron releases chemicals known as neurotransmitters into the synapse. These neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Neurovascular Network Explorer 2.0: A Simple Tool for Exploring and Sharing a Database of Optogenetically-evoked Vasomotion in Mouse Cortex In Vivo

Neurovascular Network Explorer 2.0: A Simple Tool for Exploring and Sharing a Database of Optogenetically-evoked Vasomotion in Mouse Cortex In Vivo

Published on: May 4, 2018

NeuroLex.org: an online framework for neuroscience knowledge.

Stephen D Larson¹, Maryann E Martone

¹Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA.

Frontiers in Neuroinformatics

|September 7, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

NeuroLex.org is a wiki-based knowledge system designed to help neuroscientists query complex information across multiple scales of the nervous system. It facilitates faster answers to neuroscience questions by organizing neurobiological concepts and data.

Keywords:

knowledge management neuroanatomy ontology semantics wiki

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Last Updated: May 8, 2026

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Neurobiology
Bioinformatics

Background:

Digital information systems present challenges in facilitating scientific inquiry, especially in neuroscience.
Existing systems struggle to answer complex neuroscience questions across multiple spatial scales and nervous system components.
Neuroscientists spend significant time manually reviewing literature for answers.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe NeuroLex.org, a wiki-based knowledge management system for neuroscience.
To enable neuroscientists to review, aggregate, and link neurobiological knowledge.
To expose controversial or missing information in neurobiology.

Main Methods:

Developed a wiki-based website and knowledge management system.
Structured neurobiological knowledge with an emphasis on multiscale descriptions.
Aggregated ~25,000 unique neuroanatomical parts and concepts.

Main Results:

NeuroLex.org facilitates querying complex neuroscience questions.
The system allows aggregation of understanding and linking to data sources.
Demonstrated reuse of structured information to answer specific questions, e.g., identifying GABAergic neurons or brain regions projecting to the cerebellar cortex.

Conclusions:

NeuroLex.org provides a framework for organizing and querying neurobiological knowledge.
The system accelerates the process of answering complex neuroscience questions.
Facilitates collaborative knowledge building and identifies research gaps in neurobiology.