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.
The human brain has about one billion neurons. Each neuron is a cell that uses biochemical reactions to receive, process, and transmit information. In simple terms, a neuron is a cell specialized to conduct and generate electrical impulses and to carry information from one part of the brain to another.