Sentences with phrase «of nerve cells switch»

In brains that learn with ease, groups of nerve cells switch easily between conversations with other cells in their networks.

Not exact matches

Duke University biologist Pelin Volkan and colleagues have identified a set of genetic control switches that interact early in a fly's development to generate dozens of types of olfactory neurons, specialized nerve cells for smell.

The switch works by regulating the activity of a handful of sleep - promoting nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain.

Measurements of the electrical activity of nerve cells in two key areas of the brain showed a surprising result: nerve cells in the prefrontal cortex signaled the distraction while it was being presented, but immediately restored the remembered information (the number of dots) once the distraction was switched off.

In a brain slice, Olivia Masseck measures the activity of nerve cells in which she switches on their receptors using light stimulation.

The work is part of a growing field called optogenetics, and used light - activated proteins from photosynthetic algae to switch nerve cells on and off.

The researchers inserted an optogenetic switch into a group of nerve cells located in the ancient part of the brain called the medulla, allowing them to activate or inactivate the neurons with laser light.

Instead of issuing orders to make mature macrophages switch roles, they filled the nerve bridge with a biological signal shown to attract younger, undifferentiated cells destined to become pro-healing macrophages.

Now, Professor Martin and colleagues have discovered that in response to specific types of cell damage, Parkin can trigger the self - destruction of «injured» nerve cells by switching on a controlled process of «cellular suicide» called apoptosis.

For example, Bonin explains, a study might test whether turning on two types of nerve cells — each with a different opsin — gives different results from switching on just one.

Nerve - signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters can «switch off» or dampen the activity of cells that signal arousal or relaxation.