Neuron and Its Parts Neuron: Individual nerve cell; cell of the nervous system Neuron: Individual nerve cell; cell of the nervous system Dendrites: Short part of a neuron that receives messages from other neurons Dendrites: Short part of a neuron that receives messages from other neurons Soma: Cell body; body of the neuron Soma: Cell body; body of the neuron Axon: Fiber that carries information away from the cell body toward other neurons, muscles, and glands Axon: Fiber that carries information away from the cell body toward other neurons, muscles, and glands Axon Terminals (Terminal Buttons): Branches that link the dendrites and somas of other neurons Axon Terminals (Terminal Buttons): Branches that link the dendrites and somas of other neurons The Myelin Sheath: Fatty protein substance that covers some axons, increasing the speed of transmission The Myelin Sheath: Fatty protein substance that covers some axons, increasing the speed of transmission
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