Structure of a Neuron (Nerve Cell) — Interactive Diagram
Meet the nerve cell — see how a message travels from the dendrites, along the axon, to the next neuron.
TL;DR: Meet the nerve cell — see how a message travels from the dendrites, along the axon, to the next neuron.
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
Structure of a Neuron (Nerve Cell): Meet the nerve cell — see how a message travels from the dendrites, along the axon, to the next neuron.
Why it matters: The neuron and how a nerve impulse travels are core to the Class 10 “Control and Coordination” chapter.
Structure of a Neuron (Nerve Cell) — Step by Step
- DENDRITES are the branching arms that RECEIVE a signal. They pass it to the CELL BODY, which holds the nucleus.
- The AXON is a long fibre that carries the impulse AWAY from the cell body. A myelin sheath wraps it to speed the signal.
- At the NERVE ENDINGS, the signal jumps the tiny gap — the SYNAPSE — to the next neuron using chemical messengers.
Quick Notes — the Exam Crux
- DENDRITES receive signals (information) from other neurons or from receptors.
- The CELL BODY (cyton) contains the nucleus and processes the incoming signal.
- The AXON is a long fibre that carries the electrical impulse away from the cell body.
- At the end, NERVE ENDINGS (axon terminals) pass the signal across a tiny gap — the SYNAPSE — to the next neuron using chemicals.
- A myelin sheath insulates the axon and speeds up the impulse.
Remember It (Memory Trick)
Signal path = "DCAT": Dendrite → Cell body → Axon → Terminals. Messages always travel one way, dendrite to terminal.
Real-Life Example
When you touch a hot pan and pull back instantly, an electrical impulse raced along neurons exactly like this — from skin receptors, through your spinal cord, to your arm muscles, in a fraction of a second.
Test Yourself
In which direction does a nerve impulse travel through a neuron?
From the dendrites → cell body → axon → axon terminals (one direction only).
What is a synapse?
The tiny gap between two neurons where the signal is passed on using chemical messengers (neurotransmitters).
What is the function of the axon?
It carries the electrical impulse away from the cell body towards the nerve endings.
More Visual Lessons
- The Water Cycle
- States of Matter
- Life Cycle of a Butterfly
- Phases of the Moon
- The Solar System
- The Rock Cycle
🤖 Stuck on any of these? Ask Syllab's free AI Tutor to explain step by step →