A neuron is a nerve cell, and they have three basic parts:

1. Cell body — the main part containing the nucleus, mitchondria (which make energy) and ribosomes (which build proteins).

2. Axons — long, thin projections which carry electrochemical messages such as nerve impulses.

3. Dendrites (nerve endings) — these small, branch-like projections of the cell allow communcations between the neuron and other cells. Dendrites can be located on one or both ends of the cell body.

All shapes and sizes!

Neurons come in many sizes and shapes depending on their job. Motor neurons that control muscle contractions have a cell body on one end, a long axon in the middle and dendrites on the other end. Sensory neurons have dendrites on both ends, connected by a long axon with a cell body in the middle.

Job's a good 'un!

Different types of neurons have different jobs:

Sensory neurons carry signals from the outer parts of your body into the central nervous system.

Motor neurons carry signals from the central nervous system to the outer parts (muscles, skin and glands) of your body.

Receptors sense the environment (chemicals, light, sound and touch) and encode this information into electrochemical messages.

Interneurons connect neurons within the brain and spinal cord.