8.1—Neurone structure and function

Neurones carry electrical impulses. A cell body maintains the cell, an axon conducts the impulse and axon terminals connect with other cells; myelin insulates some axons so impulses jump between nodes of Ranvier.

Sensory neurones carry information from receptors to the CNS, relay neurones connect within the CNS, and motor neurones carry signals to muscles or glands. Their structures reflect these routes.

A myelinated axon can transmit faster because depolarisation occurs at nodes rather than along every section of membrane.

A nerve is a bundle of neurones, not one giant neurone. Do not infer function from myelination alone without identifying the pathway.