Neurites
Neurites
Neurites (/nʊəˈraɪts/; from the Greek neuron meaning "nerve" and the suffix -ite meaning "pertaining to") are any projection from the body of a neuron that can either be an axon or a dendrite. They play a crucial role in the communication of neurons with each other and other cells.
Etymology
The term "neurite" is derived from the Greek word neuron, which means "nerve", and the suffix -ite, which is used in biology to denote a part of a larger structure. Thus, "neurite" essentially means a part of a nerve cell or neuron.
Function
Neurites are responsible for transmitting electrical signals from the neuron to other cells. This is achieved through the extension of the neurite, which can either be an axon or a dendrite. The axon transmits signals away from the neuron's cell body, while the dendrite receives signals from other cells and transmits them to the neuron's cell body.
Related Terms
- Neuron: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
- Axon: A long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.
- Dendrite: The branched projections of a neuron that act to conduct the electrochemical stimulation received from other neural cells to the cell body.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neurites
- Wikipedia's article - Neurites
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