"The elementary processing units in the central nervous system are neurons, which are connected to each other in an intricate pattern. We can distinguish several neurons with triangular or circular cell bodies and long wire-like extensions. This picture can only give a glimpse of the network of neuro"
"A typical neuron can be divided into three functionally distinct parts, called dendrites, soma, and axon Roughly speaking, the dendrites play the role of the ‘input device’ that collects signals from other neurons and transmits them to the soma. The soma is the ‘central processing unit’ that perform"
"The junction between two neurons is called a synapse. Let us suppose that a neuron sends a signal across a synapse. It is common to refer to the sending neuron as the presynaptic cell and to the receiving neuron as the postsynaptic cell. A single neuron in vertebrate cortex often connects to more th"
"The neuronal signals consist of short electrical pulses and can be observed by placing a fine electrode either on the soma or close to the soma or axon of a neuron The pulses, so-called action potentials or spikes, have an amplitude of about 100 mV and typically a duration of 1-2 ms. The form of the"
"1.1.3 Synapses The site where the axon of a presynaptic neuron makes contact with the dendrite (or soma) of a postsynaptic cell is the synapse. The most common type of synapse in the vertebrate brain is a chemical synapse. At a chemical synapse, the axon terminal comes very close to the postsynaptic"
"1.1.4 Neurons are part of a big system Neurons are embedded in a network of billions of other neurons and glial cell that make up the brain tissue. The brain is organized in different regions and areas. The cortex can be thought of as a thin but extended sheet of neurons, folded over other brain str"
"Human memory works with associations. If you hear the voice of an old friend on the phone, you may spontaneously recall stories that you had not thought of for years. If you are hungary and see a picture of a banana, you might vividly recall the taste and smell of a banana ... and thereby realize th"