Neuron Organization and Processing

Neuronal pool

a group of interconnected neurons with specific functions; defined on the basis of function/neural circuitry

Neural circuit

The basic “wiring pattern” in a neuronal pool

Divergence

The spread of information from one neuron to several neurons; permits broad distribution of a specific input; information enters the CNS and then spreads to the brain and spinal cord at the same time

Convergence

a circuit for providing information going from several neurons to a single neuron

Serial processing

relays information in a stepwise sequence from one neuron to another or from one neuronal pool to the next

Parallel processing

several neurons or neuronal pools are processing the same information at one time; allows for many different response to occur simultaneously 

Reverberation

uses positive feedback; collateral axons extend back toward the origin of the impulse to cause an enhancement or a continuation of the impulse