Final answer:
Gray matter in the CNS consists primarily of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and neuroglial cells and appears pinker or tan in living tissue, contrasting with the myelinated axons-rich white matter. It forms the regions in the central brain and the 'butterfly' shape in the spinal cord, crucial for neurological functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gray matter is an essential component of the nervous system found in the brain and spinal cord. Contrary to its name, gray matter's color in a living organism is closer to pink or tan due to the presence of blood vessels, but it is labeled as gray in comparison to the color of white matter. Gray matter primarily consists of the neuron cell bodies, dendrites, and neuroglial cells. These neuroglial cells play an integral role in supporting and protecting the neurons. In contrast, the white matter is largely composed of myelinated axons that give it a pale color and consist of the tracts or nerves that convey signals within the central and peripheral nervous systems.
The gray matter in the central nervous system (CNS) is found in regions where there is a high concentration of neuron cell bodies, which include the cortical areas of the brain and the interior 'butterfly' area of the spinal cord. Here, alongside neuron cell bodies, we find interneurons that are critical for neural communication within the CNS. Additionally, gray matter contains a lower number of myelinated axons compared to white matter; the latter being rich in myelinated axons that enable rapid signal transmission across longer distances in the body. The presence of the myelinated axons differentiates the white matter from the gray matter.