Final answer:
An axon is the part of the neuron that carries the nerve impulse from the neuron cell body to other cells, often branching out and connecting via axon terminals at synapses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The slender, elongated projection that carries the nerve impulse is known as a axon. Neurons, the cells responsible for carrying nerve impulses, have a distinct structure that includes multiple parts; one of these is the axon, which acts as a conduit for electrical signals to travel from the neuron cell body to the target cells. At the end of an axon, you'll find axon terminals, regions that establish connections with other neurons or target cells, such as muscle cells, through structures called synapses.
Each neuron typically has only one axon, which can branch out multiple times and is sometimes insulated by a myelin sheath. This myelination serves to speed up the transmission of nerve impulses along the axon, much like insulation on electrical wires. When an action potential (nerve impulse) is generated, it travels down the axon to a synapse, where neurotransmitters are released to communicate with the next neuron or the neuron's target, such as a muscle or gland.