A patient is diagnosed with a disorder causing progressive muscle weakness and poor coordination. Microscopic analysis of their nerve cells reveals a breakdown of the long, slender projections that carry signals away from the main cell body to other cells. Based on this information, identify the specific part of the nerve cell that is damaged and explain how its impairment leads to the patient's symptoms.

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(usually) Long processes that send signals to other neurons. The transmitters of the neuron.

Axons (nerve fibers)

A small gap between the end of a neuron's axon and the dendrites (or cell body) of another neuron.

Synapse

A measure of charge in the axon (nerve fiber) when there is no signal in the neuron. Its charge is about -70mV, which jumps if the neuron is stimulated (in which case the charge is referred to as the action potential).

Resting potential

After a neuron's receptor is stimulated, a nerve impulse is released and the resting potential increases to the action potential, before going back down to the resting potential.

Nerve impulse

A the peak measure of charge in the axon when there is a signal in the neuron. Its charge is about +40mV and soon goes back to -70mV after the signal resides.

Action potential

Neuronal Signal Transmission Failure

A patient is diagnosed with a disorder that specifically damages the long, slender projections extending from their nerve cells. This damage significantly slows down the electrical messages traveling *away* from the main cell body towards other cells, leading to symptoms like muscle weakness. Based on this information, identify the specific part of the nerve cell that is affected and explain its primary function that is being compromised.

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