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Neurons, also known as nerve cells, are the fundamental units of the nervous system. They are specialized cells responsible for transmitting information throughout the body through electrical and chemical signals. These signals allow for rapid communication between different parts of the body, enabling functions such as movement, thought, and sensation.

A typical neuron consists of three main parts: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon. The cell body contains the nucleus and other essential organelles. Dendrites are branched extensions that receive signals from other neurons. The axon is a long, slender projection that transmits signals away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands. The junction between two neurons where information is transmitted is called a synapse.

Neurons communicate through a process involving electrochemical signals. When a neuron is stimulated, it generates an electrical impulse called an action potential that travels down the axon. At the synapse, this electrical signal is converted into a chemical signal, with neurotransmitters released into the synaptic cleft. These neurotransmitters then bind to receptors on the next neuron, potentially triggering a new electrical impulse. This complex interplay of electrical and chemical signaling forms the basis of all nervous system activity.