Neuron Gallery

Cerebellum structure, light micrograph

Cerebellum structure. Fluorescent light micrograph of a section through the cerebellum of the brain. The cerebellum comprises three main layers. The outer grey matter (cortex) comprises the molecular layer (green) and the granular layer (blue). The molecular layer is largely made up of the highly branched dendrites of Purkinje nerve cells (green), the large round bodies of which are found at the junction between the molecular and granular layers. Within the grey matter is the white matter (red), largely made up of the axons of the grey matter's nerve cells. The cerebellum is involved in motor control, sensory perception and learning. Magnification: x20 when printed 10cm wide

© THOMAS DEERINCK, NCMIR/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Nerve synapse, TEM

Nerve synapse. Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of the neuron (nerve) terminal at a synapse in the diaphragm. A synapse is a gap between a nerve and another cell (in this case, muscle) that allows the transmission of nerve impulses. A nerve ending in a terminal bouton (red) will contain vesicles (blue dots) of neurotransmitter chemicals. During the transmission of an impulse, the vesicles release the neurotransmitter into the gap, which is taken up by receptors on the other side. This leads to the formation of an impulse in the second cell, and so the information is passed on. When a muscle cell is receiving an impulse, calcium is also released, which causes a muscle contraction

© STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Substantia nigra in Parkinsons disease, illustration

Substantia nigra. Computer illustration showing a degenerated substantia nigra and dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. The substantia nigra plays an important role in reward, addiction, and movement. Degeneration of this structure is characteristic of Parkinson's disease

© This content is subject to copyright

1015902786, 3 Dimensional, 3d, Abnormal, Anatomical, Area, Artwork, Biological, Cns, Compared, Comparing, Computer Artwork, Computer Generated, Digitally Generated, Disease, Diseased, Human, Human Organ, Medical, Mesencephalon, Nervous System, Neural, Neurological, Neurology, Neuron, Neurone, Neurones, Neurons, Normal, Organ, Parkinsons Disease, Psychiatric, Psychiatry, Psychological, Psychology, Scientific, Square Image, Unhealthy, Unwell