From Neurone to Brain

Neurons have a cell body/perikaryon containing the normal cellular organelles. The rER is densely packed with ribosomes to create Nissl bodies. These allow for high rates of protein synthesis.

Neurites are the projections from the cell body, there are two types-dendrites and axons.

Dendrites are highly branched and make up 90% of neuron surface area. The dendritic tree is a cell typical pattern that can help in indentification of neurons. They can be spiny or aspinous.

Axon projects from the neuron at the axon hillock and range in 0.2-2 micro m in humans. They vary from 1 micro m to 1 m long…