Key Parts of a Neuron and What They Do

Neurons are the basic building blocks of our nervous system. They have some important parts:

1. Cell Body (Soma):

   • This is where the nucleus is found, along with tiny parts called organelles that help the neuron function.
   • It collects signals coming in from other parts of the neuron called dendrites.
   • The cell body makes up about 10% of the entire neuron.

2. Dendrites:

   • These are like branches that reach out and get signals from other neurons.
   • They help the neuron connect with even more other neurons.
   • On average, a single neuron can have around 15,000 of these branches, allowing for very complex communication.

3. Axon:

   • This is a long, thin part of the neuron that sends signals away from the cell body.
   • Some axons can be more than 1 meter long, especially in the spinal cord.
   • Axons are usually covered with a protective layer called myelin. This helps signals travel much faster, up to 100 times faster than axons without it.

4. Axon Terminals:

   • These are the ends of the axon that release special chemicals called neurotransmitters into the gap between neurons, known as the synapse.
   • They are designed to communicate well, with 1,000 to 10,000 spots available to release neurotransmitters in a typical synapse.

Summary Facts:

• There are about 86 billion neurons in the human brain.
• A single neuron can connect with about 1,000 to 10,000 other neurons, showing how intricate our brain’s network really is.