HealthAugust 13, 2026

interneurons

IN-ter-noo-ronz

Definition

Nerve cells that act as intermediaries, connecting other neurons within a neural pathway, specifically used here to describe layers within the retina that process visual input.

Etymology

The word is a combination of the Latin prefix 'inter-', meaning 'between,' and the Greek word 'neuron,' meaning 'nerve.' It was coined in modern biology to describe neurons that bridge the gap between sensory and motor neurons.

In the news

The article uses interneurons to describe the cells in the zebrafish retina that receive and transform visual data. Understanding how these specific cells adapt their shape and function in response to environmental stimuli is central to the research.

Early experience reshapes zebrafish retinal cells, alters behavior

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The Transmitter

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