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- Cell body (soma): the main part of the neuron, containing the nucleus and other organelles.
- Dendrites: extensions of the cell body that receive signals (chemical or electrical) from other neurons or sensory cells.
- Axon: a long, thin extension that transmits electrical signals away from the cell body towards other neurons or effector cells.
- Myelin sheath: a fatty insulation layer that covers and speeds up the transmission of the electrical signal along the axon.
- Node of Ranvier: a gap in the myelin sheath where electrical signals “jump” from node to node, increasing the speed of transmission.
- Axon terminal: the end of the axon, which contains vesicles filled with neurotransmitter chemicals.
- Synapse: the small gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrites of another neuron, where the neurotransmitters are released to signal the next neuron or effector cell.
- Neurotransmitter: a chemical released by the axon terminal into the synapse, which binds to receptors on the dendrites of the next neuron or effector cell to either excite or inhibit their activity.
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