Prompt Description

Overall Vision: The image features a light gray background with a vertically oriented, pinkish-purple neuron as the central element. A thick blue downward arrow indicates the direction of signal transmission. The image comprises three visual modules: a complete view of the neuron on the left, a close-up of ion channels in the cell membrane on the upper right, and a microscopic structure of a synapse on the lower right. Left: Neuron Overview The top section displays dense, tree-like projections (dendrites) extending outwards like roots. The center shows a full cell body (soma) containing a dark, circular nucleus. A slender axon extends downwards from the cell body, resembling a tree trunk, and traverses the image. The axon terminates in numerous fine branches, forming axon terminals that connect to the dendrites of the next blue neuron. Upper Right: Cell Membrane Ion Channels A light yellow bilayer membrane (cell membrane) divides the image into upper (extracellular) and lower (intracellular) regions. Embedded in the membrane are two sets of transmembrane proteins: On the left is a Na⁺ channel with purple Na⁺ ions. When the channel is open, extracellular Na⁺ flows downwards into the cell. On the right is a K⁺ channel with blue K⁺ ions. When the channel is open, intracellular K⁺ flows upwards out of the cell. A light gray potential scale on the right side of the membrane indicates resting, threshold, and other potential levels. Lower Right: Synaptic Structure On the left is the pink presynaptic terminal, containing several blue synaptic vesicles. These vesicles are moving towards the inner side of the membrane, preparing to release neurotransmitters (small blue dots). The center shows the narrow synaptic cleft, with blue neurotransmitters being released from the presynaptic membrane into the gap. On the right is the light purple postsynaptic membrane, featuring protruding receptors. Neurotransmitters are binding to these receptors. Image width: 56, length: 64