Final answer:
Neurons, the basic units of the nervous system, are composed of a cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon. These structures enable the neurons to receive, process, and transmit electrical and chemical signals throughout the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system, with each neuron consisting largely of three main parts: the cell body, dendrites, and the axon. The cell body, also known as the soma, houses the nucleus and other organelles essential for the neuron's functioning. Dendrites are branch-like structures that extend from the cell body, primarily responsible for receiving signals from other neurons.
The axon is a single, elongated projection that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands. These parts work together to facilitate communication within the nervous system through electrical and chemical signals.
The semipermeable membrane that surrounds a neuron plays a crucial role by allowing certain molecules to pass while blocking others, thus helping to maintain the neuron's electrical charge. Neurons are also highly specialized, with diverse sizes and shapes tailored to their specific functions within the nervous system. The structure of a neuron is integral to its ability to form the numerous connections necessary for processing and transmitting information.