1. Nerve Cells
-Nerve cells are also known as neurons and they are the most basic part of the nervous system
-Neurons carry information through the nervous system in a form called an impulse
-Impulse: electrical signal transported down a neuron to carry information to other neurons, muscles, or glands
Draw the picture below:
Dendrite
Myelin
sheath
Axon
Synapse
Cell body
Nucleus

2. Nerve Cells -A neuron is made up of 4 parts: -a cell body
-dendrites that branch off
-a long axon with a myelin sheath
-a synapse (synaptic terminals)
Dendrite
Myelin
sheath
Axon
Synapse
Cell body
Nucleus

3. Nerve Cells Dendrite Dendrite
-Dendrites receives incoming signals and bring them into the cell body
-These signals can come from other neurons

4. Nerve Cells
-The cell body is where the nucleus is located and where energy is broken down for the neuron
Cell body

5. Nerve Cells
-The axon extends away from the cell body and carries outgoing signals through an action potential to the synapse
The space in between neurons is known as a synapse and it is where the neuron communicates with other cells
Myelin
sheath
Axon
Signal
direction
Synapse
-the myelin sheath covers the axon and allows the impulse to travel faster
-the myelin sheath is mostly made of lipids
Signal
direction

6. Nerve Cells
-neurotransmitters: chemical messages released at the synapse and sent from one neuron to the next
-receptors: located on the dendrite, they receive incoming signals
RECEPTOR
NEUROTRANSMITTERS

7. Nerve Cells Axon Dendrite Myelin Sheath Cell Body Receptors
Axon endings or Synapse
Receptors
Neurotransmitters

8. Neuron Flowchart Directions:
-Fill in the flow chart below and explain the sequence in which an impulse travels. Use the words below to help you.
receptor, axon, cell body, neurotransmitter, synapse
A new impulse begins at a ____________
located on a
dendrite
____________ are released here which travel to the next neuron