The basic cellular unit of the nervous system is the neuron. The unique morphological and intercellular structure of the neuron is dedicated to the efficient and rapid transmission of neural signals. Within the neuron, the neural signal travels electrically. At the synapse, the gap between neurons, neural signals are conveyed chemically by a limited number of chemicals termed neurotransmitters. Specialized parts of the neuron facilitate the production, release, binding, and uptake of these neurotransmitters.

Although there are variations related to function, a typical neuron consists of dendrites (also termed dendritic processes), a cell body, an axon, and an axon terminus.

Dendrites are the (filamentous) terminal portions of neuron that bind neurotransmitter chemicals migrating across the synaptic gaps separating neurons. Depending on the type and function of a particular neuron, neurotransmitters may cause or inhibit the transmission of neural impulses. The cell body contains the cell nucleus and a...