Task 1 The diagram shows the components of a neuron and how it works

The diagram illustrates the various part of a neuron and the way in which they function. Overall, six connected components are shown, from the cell body on the left to the terminal buttons on the right. The cell body, or soma, is surrounded by dendrites. these are a number of branch-like structures which, like the branches of a tree, become thinner towards their ends. these dendrites act as receptors of messages from other cells. One of the branches, however, has no dendrites and this is called the axon. Instead of receiving messages it transmits them away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles or glands. A myelin sheath covers the axon of some neurons, helping to speed up the electrical signals that pass down the axon shown in the diagram as action potential. The electrical signals travel down the length of the axon, until they reach the terminal buttons that branch out from the axon. these terminal buttons, finally, enable the neuron to form junctions with other cells.