What type of cell within the nervous system carries electrical impulses?

The type of cell within the nervous system that carries electrical impulses is the neuron. Neurons are specialized cells that are designed for communication within the nervous system. They have a unique structure that includes dendrites, which receive signals, a cell body that processes these signals, and an axon that transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands. This process of transmitting impulses, known as action potential, is fundamental to the functioning of the nervous system, allowing for rapid communication and response to stimuli.

In contrast, neuroglia (or glial cells) serve supportive and protective roles in the nervous system but do not conduct electrical impulses. Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, are involved in maintaining the blood-brain barrier and providing support to neurons, while oligodendrocytes are responsible for forming the myelin sheath that insulates axons in the central nervous system, facilitating faster transmission of impulses but not carrying them themselves.