neuron

[noo r-on, nyoo r-] /ˈnʊər ɒn, ˈnyʊər-/
noun
1.
Cell Biology. a specialized, impulse-conducting cell that is the functional unit of the nervous system, consisting of the cell body and its processes, the axon and dendrites.
Also, especially British, neurone
[noo r-ohn, nyoo r-] /ˈnʊər oʊn, ˈnyʊər-/ (Show IPA).
Also called nerve cell.
Compare synapse.
Origin
1880-85; < Greek neûron sinew, cord, nerve
Related forms
neuronal
[noo r-uh-nl, nyoo r-, noo-rohn-l, nyoo-] /ˈnʊər ə nl, ˈnyʊər-, nʊˈroʊn l, nyʊ-/ (Show IPA), adjective
Examples from the web for neuron
  • In this case, the firing of one neuron suppresses firing in the rest of the network.
  • The single neuron seen here was grown on sensitive piezoelectric cantilever arrays.
  • Given the right signals, it can become a brand new heart cell or neuron or insulin-producing cell.
  • Meanwhile, dysfunction of the mirror neuron system has been linked to developmental disorders, such as autism.
  • When a neuron fires, calcium ions flood through special cell channels.
  • In a sense, he could think of it as a nervous system with a single neuron.
  • Now let's examine how neuron networks store and retrieve memories.
  • Special neuron networks exist that are pre-wired to link cortical neurons into a new network memory.
  • When a neuron fires, it cannot fire again until it has recharged, a time known as the refractory period.
  • Each neuron is connected to many others, and the strength of these connections changes constantly as the brain learns.
British Dictionary definitions for neuron

neurone

/ˈnjʊərəʊn/
noun
1.
a specialized cell that conducts nerve impulses: consists of a cell body, axon, and dendrites Also called nerve cell
Derived Forms
neuronal, adjective
neuronic (njʊˈrɒnɪk) adjective
Word Origin and History for neuron
n.

"a nerve cell with appendages," 1891, from German Neuron, from Greek neuron (see neuro-). Used earlier (1884) for "the spinal cord and brain."

neuron in Medicine

neuron neu·ron (nur'ŏn', nyur'-) or neu·rone (-ōn')
n.
Any of the impulse-conducting cells that constitute the brain, spinal column, and nerves, consisting of a nucleated cell body with one or more dendrites and a single axon. Also called nerve cell, neurocyte.

neuron in Science
neuron
  (nr'ŏn')   

A cell of the nervous system. Neurons typically consist of a cell body, which contains a nucleus and receives incoming nerve impulses, and an axon, which carries impulses away from the cell body. Also called nerve cell.
neuron in Technology


artificial neural network