nueron structure and fucntion

cell body (soma)

Contains the nucleus and organelles; processes information.

dendrites

branches on cell that receive signals from other neurons and sends it to cell body

axon hillock

The region where the axon connects to the cell body; initiates nerve impulses.

axon

long part of the neuron that carries electrical impulses (action potentials) away from the cell body toward other neurons or muscles

myelin sheath

covering around the axon that insulates the the action potential to speed up impulse transmission

nods of ranvier

gaps between myelin sheath where signals jump to increase speed

axon terminals

Release neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons, muscles, or glands.

gray matter

Contains neuron cell bodies and processes information. Found in the brain's outer layer and spinal cord's inner part.

white matter

Made of myelinated axons and transmits signals quickly. Found in the brain's inner layer and spinal cord's outer part.