Figure 11-1. A "typical" neuron.
11-5.
NEURON PROCESSES
There are two types of neuron processes--dendrites and axons.
a. Dendrite. A dendrite is a neuron process which carries impulses toward the
cell body. Each neuron may have one or more dendrites. Dendrites receive information
and transmit (carry) it to the cell body.
b. Axon. An axon is a neuron process which transmits information from the cell
body to the next unit. Each neuron has only one axon.
c. Information Transmission. Information is carried as electrical impulses
along the length of the neuron.
d. Coverings. Some neuron processes have a covering which is a series of
Schwann cells, interrupted by nodes (thin spots). This gives the neuron process the
appearance of links of sausage. The Schwann cells produce a lipid (fatty) material
called myelin. This myelin acts as an electrical insulator during the transmission of
impulses.
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