Question

Which of the following statements characterizes an excitatory neuron?

It sends an impulse back to the cell body of a neuron.
It helps carry an impulse to the next neuron.
It stops the passage of an impulse at a neuron.

Answer 1

An excitatory neuron facilitates the transfer of an impulse to the next neuron by releasing neurotransmitters at synapses, which then activate the subsequent neuron, enabling transmission of the neural signal.

Step-by-step explanation:

Characteristics of an excitatory neuron include its ability to facilitate the movement of an impulse to the next neuron. This is achieved by the release of neurotransmitters at the synapse, which carry the nerve impulse from one neuron to another. Within a neuron, the dendrites receive incoming signals and transfer the impulse to the soma (cell body). The axon hillock then integrates these signals and if the threshold of excitation is met, an action potential is generated. The axon carries this action potential away from the cell body towards other cells, ultimately reaching specialized endings called axon terminals where neurotransmitters are released. These neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the dendrites of the next neuron, opening ion channels, allowing for the continuation of the impulse.

Answer 2

It sends an impulse back to the cell body of a neuron