3D model of nervous cells (neurons)

Neurons are structural and functional units of the nervous system. They consist of a body and two types of extensions: short ones, dendrites (usually dychotomically branched) and long ones, axons, (rarely branched). Also, axons in contrast to dendrites may be surrounded by myelin cells.

The most important property of neurons is their ability to receive stimuli and generate action potential in response to them. Usually the stimuli are conveyed by means of neurotransmitters, which are able to trigger depolarization or hyperpolarization of neuronal membrane.
Neurons are interconnected and connected with other types of cells via dendrites and axons through which electrical stimuli are transmitted. Dendrites usually convey impulses to the neuron’s cell body, whereas axons predominantly conduct impulses away from the cell body. The places of contact between neurons and other types of cells are called synapses.

Neurons modeling and depiction were performed taking into consideration electron microscopy data in an attempt to preserve maximum similarity between the model and the actual appearance of the neuron.