Neurons and Synaptic Transmission

The brain and nervous system are made up of specialised cells called neurons. Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system — they transmit information throughout the body using a combination of electrical impulses and chemical signals. Understanding how neurons work is essential for understanding brain function, neurotransmitters, and psychological processes.

---

Structure of a Neuron

All neurons share certain basic features:

Part	Function
Cell body (soma)	Contains the nucleus and other organelles; keeps the neuron alive
Dendrites	Branch-like extensions that receive signals from other neurons
Axon	A long fibre that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body towards the axon terminals
Myelin sheath	A fatty insulating layer around the axon that speeds up the transmission of electrical impulses
Axon terminals (synaptic knobs)	The ends of the axon, which contain vesicles filled with neurotransmitter chemicals

---

Types of Neuron

There are three main types of neuron, each with a different function: