On The Brain
Spring 1995 Volume 4, Number 2
The Inner Life of Neurons
An empire of semi-independent domains
BY MARINA CHICUREL, PH.D.
AND CHRISTOPHER DEFRANCO, PH.D.
Ultimately, the key to understanding learning and memory lies in the study of the properties of neurons - and particularly in their interconnections, called synapses, which are the sites at which nerve cells communicate.
Neurons are large cells with numerous, widespread branch-like projections (referred to as neurites) that extend many microns and sometimes as much as a meter (30 inches) from the cell body. Where the long neurite, known as an axon, extending from one nerve cell meets the shorter, stubbier neurite, called a dendrite, of another nerve cell, a synapse
|