The cell body of a neuron is called the soma and electrochemical information continuously reaches it from its branches, information that is not usually enough for the neuron to activate and transmit a response to that information. However, sometimes the intensity of these stimuli is powerful enough for the neuron to allow for a few very specific moments that the difference in charge between its interior and exterior tries to level out : it lets the ions pass “freely” to one side and another of the membrane generating an action potential. This results in an electrochemical wave that will propagate from the soma to the point of contact of the neuron with another cell.
You can see all the chapters of the Neuropill series by entering here
About Neuropills:
Created, directed and presented by Pablo Barrecheguren (@pjbarrecheguren), Neuropíldoras (2018) is a scientific dissemination project made by Big Van Ciencia in collaboration with Muy Interesante and carried out with the collaboration of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology – Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (FECYT).
