What do axons primarily do in the nervous system?

Axons play a crucial role in the nervous system by carrying impulses away from nerve cells, or neurons. Each neuron comprises a cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon. While the dendrites receive signals from other neurons, it is the axon that is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses, known as action potentials, to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Once generated, the action potential travels down the length of the axon and can communicate with target cells at synapses, where neurotransmitters are released to propagate the signal further in the nervous system. This directional flow of information is fundamental to how the nervous system functions, allowing for coordinated responses to stimuli and control over bodily functions.

Although there are other components and functions within the nervous system, such as the connections within the brain or the formation of myelin sheaths by glial cells, the primary role of axons is to ensure the efficient and rapid transmission of impulses away from the neuron, facilitating communication within the nervous system.