[Verse 1] Start at soma central, that's the neuron's brain Cell body processing signals like a data train Axon shoots out long and thin, the superhighway wire Carries action potentials with electrical fire Terminals at the endpoint drop their chemical payload Neurotransmitters flooding gaps where connections are made [Chorus] Soma, axon, dendrites branching wide Spines and terminals where signals collide Chemical gaps for learning and for change Electrical junctions for the lightning exchange Location matters, placement is the key Brain's design choices in connectivity [Verse 2] Dendritic tree spreads outward like a coral reef Thousands of tiny branches, inputs beyond belief Spines are little mushrooms on the dendritic bark Receiving docks for synapses, each one leaves its mark Chemical synapses use transmitter molecules Voltage flows through gap junctions following different rules [Chorus] Soma, axon, dendrites branching wide Spines and terminals where signals collide Chemical gaps for learning and for change Electrical junctions for the lightning exchange Location matters, placement is the key Brain's design choices in connectivity [Bridge] Where you place the synapse tells a different tale Close to soma, strong control, fast and sure to sail Distant spine on dendrite tip, filtered and delayed Chemical for plasticity, electrical for speed displayed Architecture determines how the network learns Every placement calculated, every signal earned [Verse 3] Chemical synapses teach with neurotransmitter floods Dopamine and glutamate flowing like neural blood Gap junctions synchronize with voltage coupling tight Heartbeat coordination through electrical flight Inhibition at the soma vetoes all the chatter Excitation at the dendrites, distance makes it scatter [Verse 4] Myelin wraps the axon in electrical insulation Speeds the signal faster for long-distance communication Nodes of Ranvier break the sheath with strategic gaps Ion channels clustered where the action potential snaps From dendrite integration to axonal transmission Every part designed for neural network precision [Chorus] Soma, axon, dendrites branching wide Spines and terminals where signals collide Chemical gaps for learning and for change Electrical junctions for the lightning exchange Location matters, placement is the key Brain's design choices in connectivity [Outro] Map the parts, distinguish all the types Understand the placement in these neural pipes Chemistry for memory, voltage for the beat Dendritic computation makes the circuit complete
← Four Knobs in the Cosmic Tree | Electric Storm in Branching Coral →