Final answer:
Myelinated neurons appear white, corresponding to what is known as white matter, due to the myelin sheath. White matter aids in communication within the nervous system while gray matter contains neuron cell bodies with few myelinated axons.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neurons that are myelinated appear white, which is what we call white matter. The myelination is due to the presence of a myelin sheath, a fatty substance that wraps around the axons of the neurons, providing insulation and facilitating the rapid transmission of electrical signals. In contrast, regions of the nervous system that contain cell bodies of neurons with few or no myelinated axons are referred to as gray matter.
White matter consists mainly of axons covered with myelin sheath, giving it its white color. This matter makes up the nerves of the peripheral nervous system and is also found in the brain and spinal cord, fulfilling the function of connecting and facilitating communication between areas of gray matter. On the other hand, gray matter contains mainly the cell bodies of neurons, and it can appear more pink or tan in color in a living organism, but is referred to as 'gray' in contrast to white matter.