Dorsal root ganglion nerve cells stained to reveal
the microtubules (green) and actin filaments
(red). The axon shaft contains bundles of
microtubules that give structural support and
carry cargo (protein and membranes) to and from
the cell body. The "hand-like" structure at the end
of the axon is called the growth cone. This is
very motile and reads and integrates molecular
cues in the environment. It also guides the
growing nerve to its target in the growing embryo. Biomedical Image Awards 2001.
