Define neuron ?

A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system that is responsible for transmitting information through electrical and chemical signals. Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system and play a crucial role in processing and transmitting information throughout the body.

A neuron, also known as a nerve cell, is the basic unit of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body. Neurons are responsible for transmitting information between different parts of the body and for controlling a wide range of bodily functions, including thought, emotion, and movement.

The structure of a neuron consists of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon. The cell body, or soma, contains the nucleus and other organelles essential for the neuron's functioning. Dendrites are short, branched projections that extend from the cell body and receive incoming signals from other neurons. The axon is a long, slender projection that transmits signals away from the cell body and to other cells.

At the end of the axon, there are specialized structures called synapses, which are responsible for transmitting signals between neurons. When an electrical signal (known as an action potential) reaches the end of the axon, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that cross the synaptic gap and bind to receptors on the dendrites of the receiving neuron. This binding initiates a new electrical signal in the receiving neuron, and the process is repeated, allowing signals to be transmitted throughout the nervous system.