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Neuron

A neuron is a nerve cell that carries messages in the body in the form of electrical impulses.

In one line: Dendrites receive, axon delivers.

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Understand it

  • Neurons are the basic working units of the nervous system.
  • They receive information from receptors, carry it to the brain or spinal cord, and then take instructions to the body parts that must act.
  • A neuron has a cell body, dendrites, and an axon.
  • Dendrites receive the message, the cell body processes it, and the axon carries it forward.
  • This fast message system helps the body react quickly.

Example

When you touch a hot pan, sensory neurons carry the message from the skin to the spinal cord, and motor neurons carry the response back to the hand muscles.

Rule to remember

Rule: dendrites receive impulses, axon carries impulses away from the cell body.

See it worked out

Follow the example line by line, then use the same method on new questions.

Worked example

A pin touches the finger.

  1. 1Sensory neurons carry the impulse to the spinal cord.
  2. 2After processing, motor neurons send an impulse to the hand muscles so the hand moves away.

Method you can reuse

  1. 1Identify the message source.
  2. 2Dendrites receive the impulse.
  3. 3Cell body processes it.
  4. 4Axon carries the impulse forward.
  5. 5Nerve endings pass it to the next neuron or effector.

Visual tip

A labelled neuron diagram should show dendrites, cell body, axon, and nerve endings.

Check yourself

Answer the question in your head before opening the answer.

Try it yourself

Why are neurons important in the body even though the body also has muscles and glands?

Think first, then show answer
Neurons are important because they carry messages rapidly from receptors to control centres and then from those centres to muscles or glands. Without neurons, the body would not be able to coordinate quick responses.

Common wrong answer

A common wrong answer is to say the axon receives impulses and dendrites carry them away. That reverses the actual direction.

Don't mix this up

Many students think every nerve cell does the same job. In fact, sensory neurons, relay neurons, and motor neurons have different roles.

Exam tip

When asked about a neuron, mention both structure and function. A neat label of dendrite, cell body, and axon often adds marks.

Write it in the exam

Each point is worth about one mark. Write point 1 for a 1-mark question and keep adding points as the marks go up.

How CBSE asks it

The exam may ask for the parts of a neuron, the direction of impulse flow, or the role of neurons in reflex action.
  1. 1

    Enough for 1 mark

    A neuron is a nerve cell that carries messages in the body in the form of electrical impulses.

  2. 2

    Add for 2 marks

    Neurons are the basic working units of the nervous system.

  3. 3

    Add for 3 marks

    They receive information from receptors, carry it to the brain or spinal cord, and then take instructions to the body parts that must act.

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