Concept
Neuron
An electrically excitable cell that receives, processes, and transmits signals in the nervous system.
Updated Nov 5, 2026 · 1 min read · 3 connections
- Neuron doctrine
- Santiago Ramón y Cajal
- Signal model
- Hodgkin and Huxley, 1952
- Human brain
- About 86 billion neurons
Structure
A neuron receives input through its dendrites and sends output along its axon. When input crosses a threshold, it fires an action potential that triggers chemical signals at synapses with other cells.
Models and minds
Simplified models of the neuron led directly to the artificial neural network. Researchers also search for the neural correlates of consciousness, a central topic in the philosophy of mind.