Which structure conducts impulses away from the nerve cell body toward other neurons or effectors?

• A. Dendrites
• B. Axon
• C. Nucleus
• D. Cell body

Answer: (B)

In neurons, signals are received by dendrites and then travel through the axon, which carries impulses away from the cell body toward other neurons or effectors. The axon is specialized for rapid transmission of electrical impulses, often insulated by myelin to speed up the process. Dendrites, by contrast, receive signals and convey them toward the cell body, so they don’t carry impulses away. The nucleus is the genetic control center inside the cell, and the cell body (soma) contains the nucleus and organelles and integrates inputs rather than conducting impulses away. Therefore, the structure that conducts impulses away from the nerve cell body is the axon.