Which components make up a neuron?

The components that make up a neuron include the cell body, dendrites, axon, and synaptic terminals. The cell body is the metabolic center of the neuron, containing the nucleus and organelles necessary for the neuron's metabolic activities. Dendrites are branching extensions that receive signals from other neurons and transmit these signals toward the cell body. The axon is a long projection that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles. Finally, synaptic terminals, or axon terminals, are the ends of the axon that release neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons at synapses.

Understanding these components is crucial for grasping how neurons function within the nervous system, facilitating communication and processing of information. This knowledge is foundational for fields related to biology, psychology, and medicine, highlighting the intricate workings of neural networks and the role of each component in neural communication.