The human brain contains about 100 billion neurons or nerve cells. Neurons are specialized to carry electro-chemical messages throughout the brain. Neurons come in all different shape and sizes between 4 and 100 microns wide (one micron is the equivalent of one thousandth of a millimeter). Neurons differ from other cells in the human body because they have dendrites-which bring information to other cells and axons-which take information away.University of Bristol: Brain Basics Because the whole process takes place on such a small scale, scientist are unable to witness it first-hand.
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Fast Facts
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Fact:
Neurons are surrounded by a cell membraneVirtual Neuropsychology: Neuron Anatomy
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Neurons have a nucleus where the genes are located
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Neurons contain mitochondria, cytoplasm and other organelles
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There are more neurons in the human brain than there are stars in the Milky Way
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Unlike other cells, neurons cannot re-grow if they have been damagedEnchanted Learning Brain Cells
