and the Role of Growth Cones

Glossary

Ameboid Movement

Movement of a cell by means of pseudopods, in a manner similar to that of ameba; seen in leukocytes and some macrophages.
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Axon

A process of a neuron that transmits action potentials.
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Chemoaffinity Hypothesis

Directed and specific outgrowth of axons is due to their differential recognition of chemicals signals produced by target cells.
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Chemotaxis

The movement of a cell along a chemical concentration gradient.
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Concentration Gradient

A difference in chemical concentration from one point to another.
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Dendrites

Processes of a neuron that receive information from other cells or from environmental stimuli and conduct signals to the stroma. Dendrites are usually shorter, more branched, and more numerous than the axon and are incapable of producing action potentials.
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Growth Cone

A flattened area at the end of a growing axon or dendrite, having radiating filopodia and lemellopodia that function as guides for the outgrowth of embryonic nerve fibers.
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Nervous System

An organ system composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and ganglia, specialised for rapid communication of information.
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Neuron

A nerve cell; an elecrtically excitable cell specialised for producing and transmitting action potentials and secreting chemicals that stimulate adjacent cells.
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Interested?

If you're interested in axon guidance and the role of growth cones, you may also be interested in other elements of neural development, such as;

  • Neurogenesis
  • Migration of neuronal cells
  • Synaptogenesis
  • Neuronal cell death
  • Synapse rearrangement

 

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