Question

Name the part of the neuron through which information travels as an electrical impulses.
A. Dendrites
B. Axon
C. Schwann cells
D. Synapse

Answer 1

Hint: A nerve impulse in a nerve starts from dendrites then moves to the cell body and then axon. Axon terminals lie close to the dendrites of neighboring neurons. When the nerve impulse reaches an axon terminal it causes the release of a neurotransmitter that travels across the synapse (which is the gap between two neurons).

Complete answer
- In this question we have asked about the part of the neuron through which information travels as an electric impulse. The electrical impulse in neurons start or enter through dendrite.

- These signals then reach the cell body, axon and then to the axon end. At the end of the axon, the electrical signal of the nerve impulse is converted into a chemical signal.

- These chemical signals are called neurotransmitters. So, our first option is dendrite. As we already mentioned, the electric signals in a neuron start with dendrite and then they travel to the cell body. So, yes information travels as an electric signal in dendrite.

- Option B is axon. From dendrite to axon, signals travel as electric impulse but at the axon end these impulse convert into chemical impulse. So, in the axon, information travels through both electrical and chemical impulse. So this option is wrong.

- Option C is Schwann cell. Schwann cells are glial cells that keep peripheral nerve fibers (both myelinated and unmyelinated) alive. Their main function is insulation and nutrients supply to nerve fibers (axons) of the PNS. It does not carry electric impulse. So, this option is wrong.

So, the correct option is A. Dendrite

Note: Initial portion of axons carry information as electric impulse and axon end carry information as chemical impulse. So, you should not be confused, whether axons carry electric impulse or chemical impulse.
The correct option is A. Dendrite.