What type of cells are responsible for transmitting nerve impulses?

Neurons are the key cells responsible for transmitting nerve impulses. They are specialized cells that have the unique ability to generate and conduct electrical signals known as action potentials. Neurons consist of three main parts: the cell body, dendrites, and axon. The dendrites receive signals from other neurons or sensory receptors, while the axon transmits the electrical impulses away from the cell body towards other neurons, muscles, or glands. This transmission is crucial for communication within the nervous system, allowing for complex processes such as reflexes, sensations, and motor functions. The structure and function of neurons enable rapid signaling across long distances, a critical aspect of how the nervous system operates.

In contrast, muscle cells are responsible for contraction and movement, epithelial cells form protective layers and surfaces throughout the body, and adipose cells are involved in storing energy in the form of fat. Each of these cell types has its own specific functions, but they do not participate in the transmission of nerve impulses like neurons do.