neurite
Neuronal cellular outgrowth
A neurite is any projection extending from the cell body of a neuron—a general term covering both axons and dendrites.
The word appears most often in laboratory contexts, describing the threadlike extensions that neurons grow when cultured: The cells began sprouting neurites within 24 hours.
Neurite outgrowth is a standard measure of neuronal health and development in research settings.
Increase in length
- extensionAdded part or duration
- sproutingSeeds beginning growth
- pathfindingCalculating efficient travel routes
- outgrowthSomething developing from another
regeneration · retraction · fasciculation · tropism · collapse · turning · initiation · stabilization
Impulse jumping between myelin gaps
- nodes of RanvierGaps in nerve insulation
- action potentialNeuron's rapid electrical discharge
- myelin sheathLipid layer around axons
- retrograde transportMovement toward cellular center
unmyelinated · myelinated · white matter · projection · tract · fascicle · efferent
Cylindrical cell structure protein
- tubulinMicrotubule protein component
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- depolymerizationPolymer breakdown into monomers
- bundlingGrouping items as one
Splitting into separate directions
Recognizing meaningful differences
- polarityState of opposing forces
- morphogenesisDevelopmental shape emergence
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- specificationDetailed technical requirement
BDNF · developmental stage · embryonic · postnatal · connectivity · wiring
elongation
Increase in length
- extensionAdded part or duration
- sproutingSeeds beginning growth
- pathfindingCalculating efficient travel routes
outgrowth · regeneration · retraction · fasciculation · tropism · collapse · turning · initiation · stabilization
saltatory conduction
Impulse jumping between myelin gaps
- nodes of RanvierGaps in nerve insulation
- action potentialNeuron's rapid electrical discharge
- myelin sheathLipid layer around axons
retrograde transport · unmyelinated · myelinated · white matter · projection · tract · fascicle · efferent
microtubule
Cylindrical cell structure protein
- tubulinMicrotubule protein component
- polymerizationMonomers bonding into chains
- depolymerizationPolymer breakdown into monomers
bundling · crosslinking · severing · nucleation · transport
branching
Splitting into separate directions
differentiation
Recognizing meaningful differences
- polarityState of opposing forces
- morphogenesisDevelopmental shape emergence
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
specification · BDNF · developmental stage · embryonic · postnatal · connectivity · wiring