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Neurons are arguably the most complex cells in nature and are characterized by a complex, dynamic, and highly polarized morphology. Actin and its regulatory proteins are the most abundant set of proteins within cells and form one of the major cytoskeletal systems, the actin filament cytoskeleton. While much has been learned about the roles of the actin cytoskeleton in non-neuronal cells, our understanding of the full spectrum of the functions of actin in neurons is far from complete. This book is intended to provide the neuroscience community with an introduction to the interface between the actin cytoskeleton and the myriad of issues fundamental to the understanding of nervous system function. The book covers the neurobiology of actin ranging from basic cellular organization and function to the roles of actin in the health and disease states of the nervous system. This chapter provides a primer on actin intended to serve the reader as background and review for the rest of the chapters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]