Excerpted form Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care, by Randy Kidd, D.V.M., Ph.D. Copyright (c) 2000 by Randy Kidd, D.V.M., Ph.D.. Reprinted by permission of Storey Books.
What is a Neuron. A neuron is a very specialized cell that forms the basis of the nervous system. It is also referred to as a nerve cells. Neurons are unique in that they transmit signals throughout the body. These signals are referred to as action potentials, nerve impulses or spikes.
Neurons are nerve cells that transmit nerve signals to and from the brain at up to 200 mph. The neuron consists of a cell body (or soma) with branching dendrites (signal receivers) and a projection called an axon, which conduct the nerve signal.eurons are cells that send and receive electro-chemical signals to and from the brain and nervous system. There are about 100 billion neurons in the brain. There are many more glial cells; they provide support functions for the neurons, and are far more numerous than neurons.