MCAT Question A Day - 6/6/14 - Answer!
Which of the following gives the normal direction of signal transmission in a neuron?
A. from the axon to the cell body to the dendrites
B. trom the dendrites to the cell body to the axon
C. from the cell body to the axon and dendrites
D. from the dendrites to the axon to the cell body
B is correct. A signal is typically transmitted to the dendrites to the cell body and then down the axon; however, synapses are found all along the neuron and a signal may begin anywhere on the neuron. Although an action potential moves in all directions along an axon, the cell body and dendrites do not normally contain enough sodium channels to conduct the action potential for any length.
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B is correct. A signal is typically transmitted to the dendrites to the cell body and then down the axon; however, synapses are found all along the neuron and a signal may begin anywhere on the neuron. Although an action potential moves in all directions along an axon, the cell body and dendrites do not normally contain enough sodium channels to conduct the action potential for any length.
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