In the cross section of the spinal cord, look in the anterior horns
for a good example of basic cell structure. Here you will see the
large motor neurons that connect with muscle cells and cause them to
contract. These neurons have large nuclei and well defined cell
bodies.
In a SPINAL CORD cross section,
examine the large, irregularly shaped motor neuron cell bodies found
in each anterior horn.
The round nucleus in these cells is
lighter-staining than the cytoplasm; identify also the nucleolus, a
spherical dark-staining body within the nucleus. Click here for a
larger view of a motor neuron.
See
this slide with the virtual
microscope