Final answer:
The statement is true; a destructive axon lesion near the cell body of a neuron can lead to the death of the neuron more likely than a lesion further away. The proximity to the soma may disrupt key processes critical for the neuron's survival. Neurons transmit signals through dendrites and axons, leading to synapses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement, "The closer a destructive axon lesion is to the neuronal cell body, the more likely the neuron is to die," is generally considered true. When an axon is damaged close to the soma (neuronal cell body), it can cause the cell body to degenerate, which is more likely to result in the death of the neuron. This phenomenon is partly due to the fact that a closer lesion to the cell body can disrupt more of the neuron's critical processes that are essential for the cell's survival.
Neurons consist of several key structures, including dendrites, a cell body (soma), and an axon. Dendrites receive signals and convey them towards the soma, while the axon carries signals away from the soma to target cells such as other neurons, muscle cells, or glands. The cell body houses the nucleus and other essential organelles.
At the end of an axon are axon terminals or terminal boutons, where synapses occur. Synapses often exist where a dendrite and an axon terminal meet, which facilitates the transmission of electrical or chemical signals between neurons.