Neurons

Question 1

Neurons

Answer 1

The basic building blocks of the nervous system. Neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals.

Question 2

Sensory neuron

Answer 2

These carry messages from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system. They have long dendrites and short axons.

Question 3

Relay neuron

Answer 3

These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons. They have short dendrites and short axons.

Question 4

Motor neuron

Answer 4

These connect the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles and glands. They have short dendrites and long axons

Question 5

Cell body

Answer 5

This is known as the factory of the neuron. It contains the nucleus and produces all of the necessary proteins that a neuron requires to function

Question 6

Nucleus

Answer 6

This contains the genetic material within the neuron

Question 7

Dendrites

Answer 7

These branch-like features protrude from the cell body. They carry nerve impulses from neighbouring neurons towards the cell body

Question 8

Axon

Answer 8

This carries the electrical impulse from the cell body, down the length of the neuron. It is covered in a myelin sheath.

Question 9

Myelin sheath

Answer 9

This a fatty layer, which surrounds and protects the axon. It helps to speed up the electrical transmission of the impulse

Question 10

Nodes of Ranvier

Answer 10

These are the gaps in the myelin sheath. Their purpose is to speed up the transmission of the impulse by forcing it to ‘jump’ across the gaps along the axon.

Question 11

Terminal buttons

Answer 11

These are located at the end of the axon. They communicate with the next neuron that is on the other side of the synaptic cleft.