What is the primary function of neurons?

The primary function of neurons is to transmit electrical impulses. Neurons are specialized cells within the nervous system that facilitate communication between different parts of the body. They do this by generating and conducting electrical signals, known as action potentials, which allow for rapid transmission of information. This function is essential for enabling various processes such as reflexes, sensory perception, and motor coordination.

Neurons are integral to the functioning of both the central and peripheral nervous systems. They communicate with each other and with other types of cells through synapses, releasing neurotransmitters that propagate the electrical impulses across the nervous system. This ability to transmit signals quickly and efficiently is fundamental to all neural functions, including thought, sensation, and movement.

While hormones are produced by endocrine glands, structural support is primarily provided by glial cells rather than neurons themselves, and filtration of blood is a function associated with organs like the kidneys rather than neurons. Thus, the transmission of electrical impulses stands out as the defining characteristic of neuronal function.