neuron anatomy and structures

Q: What is the cell body of a neuron?

A: The main part of the neuron that contains the nucleus and receives signals from dendrites.

Q: What do dendrites do?

A: They receive electrical signals and send them toward the cell body.

Q: What is the easiest way to remember dendrites?

A: signals IN toward the cell body.

Q: What is an axon?

A: A long part of the neuron that carries electrical signals away from the cell body.

Q: What is the easiest way to remember an axon?

A: signals AWAY from the cell body.

Q: What is an axon terminal?

A: The end of the axon that splits into smaller branches called axon telodendria.

Q: What are axon telodendria?

A: The small branches at the end of an axon.

Q: What is the axon hillock?

A: The area where the axon begins and where electrical signals are generated.

Q: Why is the axon hillock important?

A: It contains voltage-gated channels and helps start electrical signals.

Q: What are the 3 structural types of neurons?

A: Multipolar, bipolar, and unipolar.

Q: What is a multipolar neuron?

A: A neuron with many dendrites and one axon.

Q: Which neuron type is the most common?

A: Multipolar.

Q: What is a bipolar neuron?

A: A neuron with one dendrite and one axon on opposite sides of the cell body.

Q: What is a unipolar neuron?

A: A neuron with one process coming from the cell body that splits into an axon and dendrite.