Final answer:
The branches at the end of an axon are called axon terminals. These terminals are where neurotransmitters are released to transmit impulses to other neurons at synapses. Axons are often insulated by myelin to increase the speed of signal transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The branches at the end of an axon are called axon terminals. An axon is a long, thin extension of the cell body responsible for transmitting nerve impulses to other cells, and the axon terminals are the critical points where these impulses are passed on, often to dendrites of neighboring neurons. A synapse is the junction between an axon terminal and another cell, and this is where the neurotransmitters are released, allowing communication between the cells. Myelin, produced by glial cells, covers many axons and acts as insulation to improve the speed of electrical signals, much like how plastic insulates electrical wires. However, myelin has gaps called nodes of Ranvier, which are essential for the efficient travel of electrical signals down the axon. The axon can branch numerous times, but a neuron will only have one axon.