NERVE CELLS IMAGES
Retinal ganglion
cell
Scanning electron micrograph of an isolated retinal ganglion cell. This is a type of neuron, typically located near the inner surface of the eye’s retina, that receives visual information from photoreceptors via two
intermediate neuron types. Retinal ganglion cells collectively transmit visual information from the retina to several regions in the thalamus, hypothalamus and midbrain. They vary significantly in terms of their size,
connections, and responses to visual stimulation but they all share the defining property of having a long axon that extends into the brain. These axons form the optic nerve, optic chiasm and optic tract.
Credit: Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images.
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Pyramidal
neurons
Confocal microscopy image showing layer 5 pyramidal neurons from a cortical brain slice. Neurons were visualised using a fluorescent calcium indicator. Pyramidal cells are so-called as they have a pyramidshaped cell body (or soma); they have long, branching dendrites. They are found in the forebrain (cortex and hippocampus) of mammals and are thought to be involved in cognitive function.
Credit: Prof. M Hausser, UCL, Wellcome Images.
Neurons in the
hippocampus
Fluorescence microscopy image of hippocampal neurons labelled with an antibody against the GluR1 subtype of glutamate receptors.
Credit: AJ Irving, Wellcome Images
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Neurons in the
cerebellum
Phase contrast light microscopy image of neurons in the human cerebellum. The cerebellum is the posterior part of the brain that coordinates sensory inputs and muscular responses.
The large cell bodies belong to Purkinje cells. This was a thick section, silver-stained and counterstained.
Credit: Spike Walker, Wellcome Images
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Neurons in the
brain
Colour-enhanced light microscopy image of pyramidal neurons forming a network in the brain. These are nerve cells from the cerebral cortex that have one large apical dendrite and
several basal dendrites.
Credit: Dr Jonathan Clarke, Wellcome Images.
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Neuronal network in the
cerebellum
Fluorescence microscopy image showing the cerebellar network of Purkinje neurons from a mouse. The neurons are visualised by labelling the cells with green fluorescent protein
(GFP). Purkinje cells are specialised neurons found in layers within the cerebellum (at the back of the brain). In humans they are one of the longest types of neurons in the brain and
are involved in transmitting motor output from the cerebellum.
Credit: Prof. M Hausser, UCL, Wellcome Images
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