Which type of neuron extension transmits signals away from the neuron's cell body?

Prepare for the EPPP Biological Bases of Behavior Exam with targeted questions and explanations. Enhance your understanding of neuropsychology, pharmacology, and psychophysiology. Dive into the practice quizzes to ace your exam!

The axon is the part of the neuron that transmits signals away from the neuron's cell body. It serves as a long, slender projection that can conduct electrical impulses, known as action potentials, to other neurons, muscles, or glands. The axon's primary role is to facilitate communication by transmitting information across considerable distances within the nervous system.

Dendrites, in contrast, are the extensions that receive signals from other neurons and convey that information toward the cell body. Synapses are the junctions where neurons communicate with each other, but they do not transmit signals themselves. Glial cells provide support, nourishment, and protection for neurons but do not send signals away in the same manner as axons. Thus, the axon is crucial for the propagation of electrical signals and overall neuronal communication within the nervous system.

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