rganautaNeuron in 3D
An excitable cell with a soma (where the nucleus is), dendrites that receive signals and an axon that carries them to the synapses. The signal is…
Explained for every age
For kids (7–11)
The neuron is the cell that thinks, feels and gives orders. It has a body with branches that receive messages, the dendrites, and a long cable that sends them, the axon. Watch the spark running along the axon: it's a message on the move.
For teens (12–16)
An excitable cell with a soma (where the nucleus is), dendrites that receive signals and an axon that carries them to the synapses. The signal is electrical inside the neuron (action potential) and chemical between neurons (neurotransmitter). You have about 86 billion of them, and each one forms thousands of connections.
Pre-Med (17+)
Neuron: soma with nucleus and Nissl bodies, dendrites with spines (input), axon hillock (integration, threshold ≈ −55 mV), myelinated axon (oligodendrocytes in the CNS, Schwann cells in the PNS) with nodes of Ranvier and saltatory conduction (up to 120 m/s), axon terminals with vesicles. Types: multipolar, bipolar, pseudounipolar. Resting potential of −70 mV due to the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase and K⁺ permeability.
What you can explore
Cell body (soma)DendritesAxonMyelin sheathNode of RanvierSynapse
Missions
- The traveling spark Explorer
- Electrical and chemical Discoverer
- Action potential and clinical practice Pre-Med