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

Electrical Synapses

Electrical Synapses

Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...

Neuronal Communication

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...

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...

Action Potential

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...

Propagation of Action Potentials

Propagation of Action Potentials

The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Critical waves and the length problem of biology.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2015

Same author

A perspective: Robert B Laughlin.

Physical biology·2014

Same author

Magnetic instability in strongly correlated superconductors.

Physical review letters·2003

Same journal

Fast-conducting mechanonociceptors uniquely engage reflexive and affective pain circuitry to drive protective responses.

Neuron·2026

Same journal

Sparse component analysis: A method that uncovers separable computations within neural population activity.

Neuron·2026

Same journal

Spatiomolecular mapping reveals anatomical organization of heterogeneous cell types in the human nucleus accumbens.

Neuron·2026

Same journal

TGF-β1-induced endothelial transcytosis drives blood-brain barrier leakage during aging.

Neuron·2026

Same journal

Image space opens up for visual neuroscience.

Neuron·2026

Same journal

Septal GLP-1 receptors control alcohol taking and seeking.

Neuron·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Large-Scale Neural Dynamics Through HD-MEA Technology

Author Spotlight: Advancing Large-Scale Neural Dynamics Through HD-MEA Technology

Published on: March 8, 2024

Physics, emergence, and the connectome.

Robert B Laughlin¹

¹Department of Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

|September 19, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Understanding physical laws is crucial for accurate biological big data prediction. Complex systems, even primitive ones, become highly error-intolerant when data contains significant inaccuracies, leading to simulation failures.

More Related Videos

Statistical Modelling of Cortical Connectivity Using Non-invasive Electroencephalograms

Statistical Modelling of Cortical Connectivity Using Non-invasive Electroencephalograms

Published on: November 1, 2019

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Large-Scale Neural Dynamics Through HD-MEA Technology

Author Spotlight: Advancing Large-Scale Neural Dynamics Through HD-MEA Technology

Published on: March 8, 2024

Statistical Modelling of Cortical Connectivity Using Non-invasive Electroencephalograms

Statistical Modelling of Cortical Connectivity Using Non-invasive Electroencephalograms

Published on: November 1, 2019

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Perspectives on Neuroscience

Published on: July 31, 2007

Area of Science:

Complex systems biology
Computational neuroscience
Big data analytics

Background:

Primitive complex systems offer insights into biological big data challenges.
Physical laws governing systems emerge from underlying processes, not the reverse.
Large datasets in biology require understanding fundamental system principles for accurate analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the importance of physical laws in big data analysis.
To explain the error-intolerance of complex systems.
To draw parallels between primitive systems and biological data challenges.

Main Methods:

Analysis of complex systems principles.
Review of data simulation failures in complex systems.
Conceptual framework development linking physical laws to data prediction.

Main Results:

Physical laws are emergent properties of complex systems.
Accurate prediction from large datasets necessitates understanding these laws.
Complex systems exhibit high error intolerance, where small errors cascade.

Conclusions:

Understanding emergent physical laws is essential for reliable biological big data interpretation.
Error propagation in complex systems underscores the need for high-quality, law-informed data.
Lessons from simpler systems inform strategies for managing big data in neuroscience and biology.