What is a neuron?

• A. A muscle cell that contracts
• B. A gland cell producing hormones
• C. A specialized nerve cell that transmits electrical impulses
• D. A red blood cell

Answer: (C)

Neurons are specialized nerve cells that transmit electrical impulses. They form the communication network of the nervous system, receiving signals through their dendrites, processing them in the cell body, and firing them along the axon as an electrical signal. At the synapse, the signal is passed to the next cell—another neuron, a muscle, or a gland—often via neurotransmitters. This rapid electrical signaling is what distinguishes neurons from other cell types. A muscle cell can contract to produce movement, a gland cell secretes hormones, and a red blood cell carries oxygen—none of these primarily transmit electrical impulses like neurons do.