What part of the nerve cell is covered by myelin sheaths?

The axon is the part of the nerve cell that is covered by myelin sheaths. Myelin sheaths are essential for the proper functioning of nerve cells as they provide insulation to the axon, which helps in speeding up the transmission of electrical impulses along the nerve fibers. This myelination allows for more efficient signaling, as it enables saltatory conduction, where the action potentials jump between the nodes of Ranvier, the gaps in the myelin sheath.

In contrast, dendrites, which are responsible for receiving signals from other neurons, do not have myelin sheathing. The soma, or cell body, contains the nucleus and organelles but is not myelinated. The synapse, which is the junction between two nerve cells where communication occurs, also does not involve myelination. Understanding the role of myelin and where it is located on nerve cells is vital in comprehending how nervous system signaling works efficiently.