Final answer:
The axon is the part of a neuron that carries action potentials away from the cell body to a target cell. It features a myelin sheath for insulation and speed, and the Nodes of Ranvier to facilitate faster electrical transmission down the axon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The axon is a long process of the cytoplasm that conducts impulses called action potentials away from the cell body. This single process of the neuron carries an electrical signal away from the neuron's cell body toward a target cell. As an action potential travels down the axon, it encounters areas called the Nodes of Ranvier. The impulse 'jumps' from node to node in a leapfrog fashion. This method of transmission is faster than if the electrical signal traveled down the entire axon without the nodes. A protective and insulating layer known as the myelin sheath covers the axon, which helps increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction.
The action potential process involves a complex mechanism of ion exchange across the neuron's membrane. Depolarization occurs when sodium (Na+) channels open and Na+ ions flow into the cell, followed by repolarization, where Na+ channels close and potassium (K+) ions flow out. This electrical activity is the fundamental means by which information is transmitted across the nervous system.