Neuron communication follows a four-step path:
- A neuron receives information from the external environment or from other neurons.
- The neuron integrates, or processes, the information from all of its input and determines whether to send an output signal. This integration takes place both in time (the duration of the input and the time between input) and space (across the surface of the neuron).
- The neuron propagates the signal along its length at a high speed.
- The neuron converts this electrical signal to a chemical one and transmits it to another neuron or to an effect such as a muscle or gland.
To get a better understanding of how neurons—the basic building blocks of the human brain—work, check out http://www.biologyreference.com/Mo-Nu/Neuron.html#ixzz5ZD78t97u.
Now, coming to the neurons' artificial neural networks, the function of these neurons is to take in some input and fire an output.