brain cell
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brain cell
The biological term for a nerve cell (neuron) in the brain that is responsible for processing and transmitting information.
Alkoholkonsum kann zur Zerstörung von Gehirnzellen führen.
Alcohol consumption can lead to the destruction of brain cells.
The word is a simple compound of 'das Gehirn' (the brain) and 'die Zelle' (the cell). So it literally refers to a cell located in the brain.
Jede Gehirnzelle ist mit Tausenden anderen vernetzt.
Each brain cell is connected to thousands of others.
You can recognize the biological meaning from a scientific or medical context. The colloquial meaning of 'Verstand' (mind/intellect) is usually used in the plural and in informal situations, often as an instruction to think.
Die Forschung untersucht, wie neue Gehirnzellen gebildet werden.
Research is investigating how new brain cells are formed.
In the colloquial meaning, the fixed expression 'seine Gehirnzellen anstrengen' (to strain/use one's brain cells) is very common. It simply means 'intensiv nachdenken' (to think hard).
Ich muss meine Gehirnzellen wirklich anstrengen, um mich an seinen Namen zu erinnern.
I really have to use my brain cells to remember his name.
mind / reason
'der Verstand' and 'die Gehirnzelle' can both be connected with thinking, but they do not belong to the same style. 'Verstand' is the normal word for a person’s ability to think. 'Gehirnzelle' (brain cell) is actually biological; colloquially, it is often used in the plural when joking about thinking. In that case, you do not really mean individual cells, but the ability to think. In serious texts, 'Verstand' fits better; in informal sentences, you can talk about 'Gehirnzellen' (brain cells).
Nach fünf Stunden Lernen brauchen meine Gehirnzellen eine Pause.
After five hours of studying, my brain cells need a break.
Vor dem Termin hat der Verstand gesiegt, und Paul hat die Unterlagen noch einmal geprüft.
Before the appointment, reason won out, and Paul checked the documents again.