Parts of a Neuron

Dendrites

Receive information (either from RECEPTOR cells or other NERVE cells), conducting towards the cell BODY (about 200 dendrites/cell body)

Cell body

Location of NUCLEUS, high metabolic rate (contains MITOCHONDRIA)

Dendrites

Receive information (either from RECEPTOR cells or other NERVE cells), conducting towards the cell BODY (about 200 dendrites/cell body)

Cell body

Location of NUCLEUS, high metabolic rate (contains MITOCHONDRIA)

Axon

May be up to 1m long, very thin, conducts the IMPULSE towards other neurons or effectors, starts at AXON HILLOCK; the smaller the neuronal diameter, the FASTER the neuronal TRANSMISSION

Myelin sheath

Fatty PROTEIN encasing many NEURONS, made by a SCHWANN CELL, acts as an INSULATOR (myelinated neurons are encased in myelin)

Nodes of Ranvier

The UNMYELINATED sections of a myelinated neuron, impulses “jump” between the nodes of Ranvier

Neurilemma

A thin layer encompassing neurons in the PERIPHERAL nervous system, promoting their regeneration

Schwann cell nucleus

Responsible for the myelin synthesis, type of GLIAL cell (supporting and nourishing cell found in the nervous system)

Myelin

lipid-based insulator surrounding AXONS. Insulates against ION flow speeding up neuronal transmission (about 200m/s for myelinated neurons, 1-5 m/s for non-myelinated neurons)

Terminal branches

Either at a SYNAPTIC BULB or end PLATE to muscle, contain NEUROTRANSMITTER