What structure serves as the communication center of a neuron?

The axon serves as the communication center of a neuron because it is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands. The axon is a long, slender projection that can extend over great distances, allowing it to connect with various targets. It effectively carries the action potentials generated in the neuron, facilitating rapid communication within the nervous system.

The cell body, while crucial for the overall functioning of the neuron by housing the nucleus and other essential organelles, does not directly transmit signals. Dendrites are responsible for receiving incoming signals from other neurons, rather than sending them out. The synapse, on the other hand, is the junction at which communication occurs between neurons, but it does not itself send signals; instead, it is where neurotransmitters are released to convey messages from one neuron to another.