Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Neurite

 

The process of a nerve cell along which impulses travel away from the cell body. It branches at its termination, forming synapses at other nerve cells or effector organs. Many axons are covered by a myelin sheath formed from the cell membrane of a glial or Schwann cell.

  • a. hillock — the elevation on the perikaryon from which the axon emerges.
  • a. reflex — a nerve impulse conducted through nerve pathways limited to the single axon, without the participation of a nerve cell or synapse. Not a true reflex.
  • a. telodendrion — extensive terminal branches of the axon before terminating on the effector organ.
  • a. terminals — the axonal structure capable of forming a synapse with another axon.
Search unanswered questions...
Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics
Wikipedia: Neurite
Top

A neurite refers to any projection from the cell body of a neuron. This projection can be either an axon or a dendrite. The term is frequently used when speaking of immature or developing neurons, especially of cells in culture, because it can be difficult to tell axons from dendrites before differentiation is complete.

Neurites are often packed with microtubule bundles, the growth of which is stimulated by Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), as well as tau proteins, MAP1, and MAP2.[1]

The neural cell adhesion molecule N-CAM simultaneously combines with another N-CAM and a fibroblast growth factor receptor to stimulate the tyrosine kinase activity of that receptor to induce the growth of neurites.

Stimulation of the shaft always results in growth of the extension.

See also

References

  1. ^ Bear, Mark F; Connors, Barry W.; Paradiso, Michael A., Neuroscience, Exploring the Brain, Philadelphia : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Third Edition (February 1, 2006). ISBN 0-7817-6003-8

 
 
Learn More
List of neurobiology topics
Lewy neurites
Nogo A

Help us answer these
What is mean by neuritic Psychology?
How 2 prevent neurites and poor circulation in advanced diabetes type 2?
What is neuritic mean?

Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

 

Copyrights:

Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Neurite" Read more