Nerve cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a neuron (nerve cell). The cell body is the central structure with neurites (long and thin structures) radiating outwards from it. A neurite is a general term used for processes connecting nerve cells together to form a network of nervous tissue. They can be either receiving (dendrites) or transmitting (axons) nerve impulses. When grown in culture, as here, it is difficult to tell axons and dendrites apart. Neurons allow information to be received, interpreted and relayed around the body. Research into curing spinal paralysis uses nerve tissue cultures to investigate neural regeneration.