Neurons

• Unlike glia, neurons have projections called axons and dendrites. The axons act as cables to carry outbound signals to other cells, while the dendrites accept inbound signals. Moreover, unlike glia, neurons generate signals called action potentials that travel down the axon to the synapse, a junction between an axon and a postsynaptic cell. At chemical synapses, chemicals called neurotransmitters are released to transmit the message to the postsynaptic cell, while at other "electrical" synapses channels between the two cells convey the electrical signal directly into the postsynaptic cell.