WordValeneuron
a cell that transmits nerve signals
In more detail
1. (noun) a cell in the brain or nervous system that sends and receives signals to transmit information
2. (noun) the basic unit that processes information in artificial neural networks and machine learning systems
Examples
- 1. Each neuron in your brain communicates with thousands of other neurons.
- 2. The artificial intelligence system uses millions of simulated neurons to process images.
How to use neuron
Neuron is a technical term used in neuroscience, biology, and increasingly in machine learning and artificial intelligence contexts. In scientific writing, it refers to individual cells but can be used metaphorically in broader discussions of how neural systems work. The term maintains the same meaning across both biological and computational domains, though AI usage has made it more widely known to general audiences.
Common phrases
- sensory neuron
- motor neuron
- artificial neuron
- fire a neuron
- neural pathway
- neuron activation
Synonyms
nerve cell · neural cell · brain cell
Word family
neuronal (adjective) · neurotransmitter (noun) · neurobiological (adjective) · neuroscience (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse neurons with synapses (the connections between neurons) or treat 'neuron' as interchangeable with 'nerve,' which is a bundle of neurons rather than a single cell.
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