Page 156 - The Miracle in the Cell Membrane

n con trast to other cells, a nerve cell or neu ron
pos sess es sec tions known as den drites and axons.
A den drite con sists of a large num ber of short
pro tru sions like roots or branch es and plays a role
in receiv ing stim u li from other neu rons and cells
and trans mit ting them to the cell body. Axons are long,
thin fibers emerg ing from the body of the cell, con sist ing
of one sin gle part along which stim u li are sent, serv ing to
trans mit mes sa ges to the brain. Nerve cells thus form a
dense net work of long chains.
Every cell has an elec tri cal charge around its mem -
Cell body
Dendrite

Cell nucleus
Cell body
Axon
Myelin sheath

Node of Ranvier Dendrites

On the left you can see the general struc-
ture of a nerve cell (neuron). This struc-
ture of nerve cells is specially created to
transmit signals. Because of these struc-
tures, you perceive what is happening
around you and act as you wish.

154