cell body
Nucleus-containing neuronal region
The cell body is the central part of a neuron containing the nucleus and most of the cell's organelles.
Also called the soma, it processes incoming signals from dendrites and maintains the cell's metabolic functions.
Damage to the cell body typically kills the entire neuron.
Bodily cells, excluding gametes
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- plasma membraneLipid bilayer enclosing cytoplasm
- cytoskeletonInternal protein support structure
- organellesSpecialized cell subunits
mitochondria · ribosomes · endoplasmic reticulum · lysosomes · peroxisomes · cytosol · proteins · enzymes
Bodily cells, excluding gametes
- dendritesNeuron's signal-receiving projections
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
action potential · myelin · glia · astrocyte · microglia · nerve impulse · motor neuron · interneuron
Barrier enclosing chromosomes
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- chromatinNuclear protein-wrapped genetic material
- nucleolusRibosome-producing nuclear structure
histones · genes · nucleoplasm · transcription · RNA · replication · genetic material · nuclear membrane
Cellular nutrient conversion
- protein synthesisAssembling amino acid chains
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
- gene expressionDNA to functional product
soma
Bodily cells, excluding gametes
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- plasma membraneLipid bilayer enclosing cytoplasm
- cytoskeletonInternal protein support structure
organelles · mitochondria · ribosomes · endoplasmic reticulum · lysosomes · peroxisomes · cytosol · proteins · enzymes · lipids
soma
Bodily cells, excluding gametes
- dendritesNeuron's signal-receiving projections
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
neurotransmitter · action potential · myelin · glia · astrocyte · microglia · nerve impulse · motor neuron · interneuron
nuclear envelope
Barrier enclosing chromosomes
- chromosomesGene-bearing nuclear structures
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- chromatinNuclear protein-wrapped genetic material
nucleolus · histones · genes · nucleoplasm · transcription · RNA · replication · genetic material · nuclear membrane
metabolism
Cellular nutrient conversion
- protein synthesisAssembling amino acid chains
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
- protist structuresflagellum, pellicle, nucleus, contractile vacuole, eyespot
- neuroscienceneuron, MRI, brain, neurons, synapses
- neural tissueneurons, axons, dendrites, glia, neuroglia
- Neuron Partsdendrite, dendrites, myelin sheath, synapse, nodes of Ranvier
- Sensory Cellsrod, cone, photopigment, photopigments, mechanoreceptors
- cell partsnucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, ribosomes, ribosome
cell bodyaxon
Neuron's signal-sending projection
dendrites · nerve fiber · neurite · dendrite · nerve endings