1-1-5 Development of histological analysis by microscope/The Neuron Doctrine by Ramon y Cajal

On the other hand, Ramon y Cajal who utilized this staining technique claimed that the nerve cells were independent like other cells, and connected to each other, but not fused together in a network. (Neuron doctrine）(Fig.5)

This doctrine was in direct opposition to Golgi's. This was the limit of observation in those days.

This debate was settled with the invention of the electron microscope.

Contiguous nerve cells are divided by respective cell membranes. Viewed through a low-power light microscope, the neural circuit looked like a network, but by using an electron microscope, it was proven that the network was made up of discrete individual cells.

Camillo Golgi and Ramon y Cajal shared the Nobel Prize in 1906 for their work on the structure of the nervous system.

Ramon y Cajal was a very discerning observer to conclude that the nerve cells were independent, just by viewing the microscope photographs which were available at the time.

However, Golgi's reticular theory is also remarkable as it seems to have gotten a head start on current neural circuit system theory.

Challenge Quiz

1.

The ( neuron centric theory neuron basic theory neuron doctrine theory  正解!) claims that nerve cells are independent, was advocated by（ Deiters Cajal Virchow  正解!).

2.

This theory was opposed to Golgi's ( synapse theory reticular theory textile theory  正解!).