Neurons, Explained in Ten Minutes

Find out what are dendrites, axons, ion channels and action potentials

Neuron in the amygdala of a mouse expressing the fluorescent protein mCherry. Confocal microscope image by the author.

Neurons

Every tissue of the body is formed by specialized cells. For example, muscles are formed by muscle fibers or myocytes, which are able to contract, generating force and movement. The liver has hepatocytes, cells specialized in processing and storing…