Nerve cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a cultured nerve cell (neuron). Neurons are responsible for passing information around the central nervous system (CNS) and from the CNS to the rest of the body. Each nerve cell comprises a body surrounded by numerous extensions called dendrites, which collect information from other nerve cells or from sensory cells. This cell's dendrites are studded with many filipodia that will, under the right circumstances, form synapses (junctions) with other nerve cells.