ALPHABETICAL BRAIN™ VOCABULARY HUMANIST FAMILY BRAIN STUDY DETAILS ABOUT YOUR AXONS #4 September 1, 2020 WHAT ARE YOUR AXONS? AND WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT? Your axons are the thin threadlike fibers called axon filaments, which extend from each cell body of your 100-200 billion neurons to other neurons, or muscles, senses, internal organs, or glands, through end terminals known as axon buttons. An axon's filament attaches to a neuron's cell body and its function is to carry biochemical current (electrochemical signals/impulses) from the nucleus of the neuron through the axon filament to its end terminals and through synapses which are the biochemical switches or junctions. An axon relays biochemical current from neuron to neuron or from a neuron to a muscle, sense, organ, or gland of your body. The action potential spikes of biochemical signals, which are generated by the nucleus of a neuron, cause neurons to connect with each other or with your muscles, senses, organs, or glands in order to activate them. The biochemical signals can flow through very short or very long filaments. For example, your sciatica nerve, which is the longest nerve in your body, sends biochemical currents from the neuron cell bodies in the neuronal pathways of your lower back down your two legs to the axon end terminal buttons at the other end of the two axon filaments. They both terminate at the heels of your two feet. Typically, at least 10,000-15,000 synapses attach to the end terminal buttons of an axon filament, but there can be as few as a single neuron for memories of some well-known celebrities seen or revered relatives such as parents and grandmothers. NOTE: See in context: neurons #2, dendrites #3, nucleus of a neuron #5, glial cells #6, synapses #7, potentiation #8, plasticity #10, cerebrum #11, and prefrontal cortex #12. Printable PDF Form DETAILS ABOUT AXONS (for your own editing and memory consolidation) RECOMMENDATION: You can re-read this summary according to a reinforcement schedule, such as a few hours later and a few days later and then several times in the next week or two. This strategy can help you take advantage of the power of the spaced-repetition method of memorization. Such deep introspection can strengthen your willpower and change your adaptive self-identity to increase your self-esteem. REMEMBER ALWAYS: You are your adaptable memory! instantly go to: FACT CHECKER ABOUT YOUR AXONS #4 or instantly return to: BRAIN FLASH CARD #4: AXONS or instantly return to: LIST OF 15 FREE BRAIN FLASH CARDS produced by Infinite Interactive Ideas™