Final answer:
Collaterals are the branches that sometimes occur along the length of an axon, facilitating complex neural networks by allowing neurons to communicate with multiple cells. Axons may have a myelin sheath that insulates the electrical signal for faster conduction. Axon terminals at the end of the axon release neurotransmitters to synapse with other cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The branches that sometimes occur along the length of an axon are termed collaterals. They allow a neuron to send signals to multiple cells at different locations, thus creating a complex network of communication in the nervous system. An axon is the tube-like structure that transmits electrical signals, also known as nerve impulses, away from the neuron's cell body. As the signal travels along the axon, it may be insulated by a myelin sheath, which helps to increase the speed of signal conduction. This myelin sheath is not actually part of the neuron itself, but is produced by glial cells and contains gaps known as nodes of Ranvier, which serve to 'recharge' the signal as it travels. At the end of an axon are specialized structures called axon terminals, which release neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons, muscles, or target organs through structures known as synapses.