Nursing Entrance Exam (NEX) Practice Exam

What is the role of an axon in a neuron?

1. Transmits impulses away from the cell body

2. Connects neurons to muscles

3. Receives signals from other neurons

4. Processes incoming sensory information

The correct answer is: Transmits impulses away from the cell body

The role of an axon in a neuron is primarily to transmit impulses away from the cell body. Axons are long, slender projections that are critical for conducting electrical signals, known as action potentials, from the neuron's cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands. This function is essential for communication within the nervous system and supports various physiological processes, including reflex actions and the coordination of muscle movements. In contrast to the function of the axon, other structures in the neuron, such as dendrites, are responsible for receiving signals from other neurons, thereby playing a crucial role in the integrative functions of a neuron. Some types of neurons have synaptic connections to muscles, but the axon itself does not connect directly to muscles; rather, it conveys the signal that leads to muscle action. Processing incoming sensory information is also not a direct role of the axon; instead, this function typically occurs in specialized areas of the brain or within the sensory neurons before signals are relayed through the axon for further processing.