Name the parts of a nerve cell.
Answers
Dendrites, an axon, and a cell body or soma are the three primary elements of a neuron, which may be compared to the branches, roots, and trunk of a tree, respectively. A neuron's dendrite (tree branch) gets input from neighbouring cells.
Axon - The long, thin structure that generates action potentials; the neuron's transmitting component. Action potentials move along axons after activation, causing neurotransmitter release.
Dendrite - The receiving end of the neuron is called the dendrite. Axons send synaptic inputs to dendrites, and the sum of dendritic inputs determines whether the neuron fires an action potential.
Spine - The tiny protrusions on dendrites that serve as the postsynaptic contact point for many synapses.
An action potential is a brief electrical event that occurs in the axon and indicates that the neuron is engaged. An action potential travels the length of an axon, causing neurotransmitter to be released into the synapse. The neuron can connect with other neurons thanks to the action potential and subsequent transmitter release.
Answer:
1. A neuron has three main parts: dendrites, an axon, and a cell body or soma (see image below), which can be represented as the branches, roots, and trunk of a tree, respectively.
2. A dendrite (tree branch) is where a neuron receives input from other cells.
3. Neurons vary in size, shape, and structure depending on their role and location.
4. However, nearly all neurons have three essential parts: a cell body, an axon, and dendrites.