Final answer:
Dark-staining clusters of RER and ribosomes in neurons are named Nissl bodies. These bodies are involved in protein synthesis which is crucial for neuron function while nodes of Ranvier are the gaps in the myelin sheath aiding in rapid signal transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dark-staining clusters of RER and ribosomes in neurons are called Nissl bodies. These structures are rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and ribosomes, primarily involved in the synthesis of protein. Nissl bodies are essential for the neuron's function, as they produce the proteins needed for the growth and repair of nerve cells. In contrast, other terminologies within neuroanatomy such as the nodes of Ranvier refer to the regularly spaced gaps between sections of myelin sheath along an axon, which are vital for rapid signal transmission.
Neuron Structure and Function
Understanding neuron structure, including the presence of Nissl bodies, is key in learning how neurons operate. For instance, the myelin sheath produced by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system, greatly increases the speed at which nerve impulses travel along an axon, skipping from one node of Ranvier to the next in a process called saltatory conduction.