Neuron

Neuron

The neuron is the fundamental and basic unit of the nervous system. It is an elongated cell, specializing in conducting nerve impulses.

    In neurons they can distinguish three main parts, namely:

Soma or cell body: is the most voluminous part of the neuron. Here you can see a spherical structure called the nucleus. It contains the information that directs the activity of the neuron. Furthermore, in the soma it is the cytoplasm. Therein other structures that are important to the operation of the neuron are located.

Dendrites: short extensions are originating neural soma. Its function is to receive impulses from other neurons and send them to the soma of the neuron.

Axon: is a single long extension. Sometimes, it can measure up to one meter in length. Its function is to take the momentum from the neuronal soma and drive to another part of the system.