Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 3

Define synapses.

Step 1 of 2

The functional unit of nervous system is Neuron. The neuron has three regions namely the cell body, dendrites, and axon. The cell body contains the nucleus and cell organelle. Dendrites are the narrow projections that extend from the cell body. The dendrites receive and conduct electrical impulses towards the cell body. The axons, also called the nerve fibers, are long extensions from the cell body that carry impulses away from the cell. Their length varies from few millimeters to a meter. A neuron has several dendrites but has only one axon.

The point at which an axon of one neuron contacts the dendrite of another neuron is called a Synapse.