Neuron — Interactive NEET Biology Visual Lab
A neuron is the structural and functional unit of the nervous system. Dendrites receive signals, the cell body integrates them, an action potential travels along the axon, and the axon terminals transmit the signal across the synapse. Tap any structure in the interactive model below to explore it, in plain English and with an exam-accurate NEET note.
Explore the neuron — tap any part
Tap a structure to see what it does in plain English plus an exam-accurate NEET note, or hit Guided tour to be walked through it step by step.
Neuron
Nervous system
Selected structure
Neuron
A neuron is a nerve cell — the wire of your nervous system. It picks up signals with its branches, then fires a tiny electrical pulse down a long cable to pass the message on. Tap any part, or take the guided tour.
NEET note
▸ All structures & functions
- Dendrites
- Branch-like antennae that receive incoming messages from other neurons.
- NEET:Receive signals and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
- Cell Body (Soma)
- The main body of the cell — its control centre, holding the nucleus.
- NEET:Cell body (perikaryon); integrates inputs and keeps the neuron alive.
- Nucleus
- The cell's control room, storing its DNA and directing its activity.
- NEET:Contains the genetic material and controls the neuron's activity.
- Axon
- A long cable that carries the electrical message away from the cell to its far end.
- NEET:Conducts the nerve impulse (action potential) away from the soma.
- Myelin Sheath
- Fatty insulation wrapped around the axon that makes signals travel much faster.
- NEET:Electrically insulates the axon and increases the speed of impulse conduction (saltatory conduction).
- Node of Ranvier
- Tiny gaps in the insulation where the signal leaps ahead to speed things up.
- NEET:Gaps between adjacent myelin sheaths where the action potential is regenerated; they enable saltatory conduction.
- Axon Terminals
- The end of the line — where the neuron hands the signal to the next cell.
- NEET:Release neurotransmitters into the synapse to pass on the signal.
- Synapse
- A tiny gap where neurons 'talk' by sending chemical messengers across.
- NEET:Synaptic cleft; neurotransmitters diffuse across to the next cell.
Neuron: structures & functions
A quick, exam-focused reference for every structure in the neuron — each with a plain-English answer and the precise NEET point.
What are dendrites?
Branch-like antennae that receive incoming messages from other neurons. Receive signals and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
What is the cell body (soma)?
The main body of the cell — its control centre, holding the nucleus. Cell body (perikaryon); integrates inputs and keeps the neuron alive.
What is the nucleus of a neuron?
The cell's control room, storing its DNA and directing its activity. Contains the genetic material and controls the neuron's activity.
What is the axon?
A long cable that carries the electrical message away from the cell to its far end. Conducts the nerve impulse (action potential) away from the soma.
What is the myelin sheath?
Fatty insulation wrapped around the axon that makes signals travel much faster. Electrically insulates the axon and increases the speed of impulse conduction (saltatory conduction).
What is the node of Ranvier?
Tiny gaps in the insulation where the signal leaps ahead to speed things up. Gaps between adjacent myelin sheaths where the action potential is regenerated; they enable saltatory conduction.
What are axon terminals?
The end of the line — where the neuron hands the signal to the next cell. Release neurotransmitters into the synapse to pass on the signal.
What is the synapse?
A tiny gap where neurons 'talk' by sending chemical messengers across. Synaptic cleft; neurotransmitters diffuse across to the next cell.
Frequently asked questions
What are dendrites?
Branch-like antennae that receive incoming messages from other neurons. Receive signals and conduct impulses toward the cell body.
What is the cell body (soma)?
The main body of the cell — its control centre, holding the nucleus. Cell body (perikaryon); integrates inputs and keeps the neuron alive.
What is the nucleus of a neuron?
The cell's control room, storing its DNA and directing its activity. Contains the genetic material and controls the neuron's activity.
What is the axon?
A long cable that carries the electrical message away from the cell to its far end. Conducts the nerve impulse (action potential) away from the soma.
What is the myelin sheath?
Fatty insulation wrapped around the axon that makes signals travel much faster. Electrically insulates the axon and increases the speed of impulse conduction (saltatory conduction).
What is the node of Ranvier?
Tiny gaps in the insulation where the signal leaps ahead to speed things up. Gaps between adjacent myelin sheaths where the action potential is regenerated; they enable saltatory conduction.
What are axon terminals?
The end of the line — where the neuron hands the signal to the next cell. Release neurotransmitters into the synapse to pass on the signal.
What is the synapse?
A tiny gap where neurons 'talk' by sending chemical messengers across. Synaptic cleft; neurotransmitters diffuse across to the next cell.
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