Parts of a Neuron

Dendrite

Branchlike parts of a neuron that are specialized to receive information.

nucleus

Control center of the cell

Soma

cell body of a neuron

Myelin sheath

A layer of fatty tissue segmentally encasing the fibers of many neurons; enables vastly greater transmission speed of neural impulses as the impulse hops from one node to the next.

Axon

A threadlike extension of a neuron that carries nerve impulses away from the cell body.

axon terminals (terminal buttons)

transmit signals to the dendrites of other neurons

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another

Schwann cells

Supporting cells of the peripheral nervous system responsible for the formation of myelin.

node of ranvier

myelin sheath gap that action potentials flow across membrane here

List in order the path of a cell signal from receiving end to synapse

dendrites, cell body, axon, axon terminal