brain cell
Gray matter component
A brain cell is a neuron—one of the billions of cells in the brain that transmit electrical and chemical signals.
In casual speech, brain cell often appears in exaggerated claims about intelligence or its absence: I don't have enough brain cells for this, That movie killed my brain cells.
The phrase rub two brain cells together suggests minimal mental effort.
Impulse-conducting cell
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- dendriteNeuron's input branch
- somaBodily cells, excluding gametes
- nucleusCentral controlling part
mitochondria · cytoplasm · membrane · organelle · myelin · glia · astrocyte · microglia
Neuron's rapid electrical discharge
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
repolarization · vesicle · dopamine · serotonin · glutamate · GABA · acetylcholine · refractory period
Colloquial intelligence
- witsMental quickness and resourcefulness
- gray matterBrain's cognitive tissue
- thinking capMetaphorical concentration aid
- mental capacityCognitive ability level
brainpower · noggin · intelligence · cleverness · dim bulb · fried · burnt out
Mental concept or reflection
- memoryMind's retention capacity
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
consciousness · perception · attention · comprehension · insight · understanding · knowledge · creativity
Visualizing nervous system structure
- EEGNeural activity recording
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- microscopyTechnique using powerful lenses
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
electrophysiology · neurogenesis · laboratory · Alzheimer's · Parkinson's · neurodegeneration · cortex · hippocampus
neuron
Impulse-conducting cell
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- dendriteNeuron's input branch
- somaBodily cells, excluding gametes
nucleus · mitochondria · cytoplasm · membrane · organelle · myelin · glia · astrocyte · microglia · DNA
action potential
Neuron's rapid electrical discharge
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
depolarization · repolarization · vesicle · dopamine · serotonin · glutamate · GABA · acetylcholine · refractory period · excitatory
smarts
Colloquial intelligence
- witsMental quickness and resourcefulness
- gray matterBrain's cognitive tissue
- thinking capMetaphorical concentration aid
mental capacity · brainpower · noggin · intelligence · cleverness · dim bulb · fried · burnt out
thought
Mental concept or reflection
- memoryMind's retention capacity
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
intelligence · consciousness · perception · attention · comprehension · insight · understanding · knowledge · creativity · imagination
neuroimaging
Visualizing nervous system structure
- EEGNeural activity recording
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- microscopyTechnique using powerful lenses
biopsy · electrophysiology · neurogenesis · laboratory · Alzheimer's · Parkinson's · neurodegeneration · cortex · hippocampus · brainstem
- cellscells, blood cells, nerve cells, mitosis, skin cells
- nerve cellsneuron, axon, dendrite, glia, soma
brain cellmuscle fiber
Contractile cell in tissue
fat cell · osteocyte · blood cell · red blood cell · white blood cell
brain cellbrainlessness
Total lack of intellect
stupidity · idiocy · mindlessness · dimwittedness · dim-wittedness
cell, brain, cerebral, neuroscience, cerebellum, neuronal, encephalon, brain cells