cell body
metabolic center of the neuron, contains organelles (except centrioles)
dendrites
convey incoming messages toward the cell body
axons
conduct nerve impulses away from the cell body
synaptic cleft
tiny gaps between axon terminals, separates neurons
myelin
protects and insulates nerve fibers and increases the transmission rate of nerve impulses, axons outside the CNS are myelinated by Schwann Cells
nodes of Ranvier
gaps or indentations in the myelin sheath
white matter
consists of dense collections of myelinated fibers
gray matter
contains mostly unmyelinated fibers and cell bodies