Laser Technician IBEC Board Exam 2026 - Free International Board of Electrologist Certification Practice Questions.

The fundamental structural unit of the nervous system is the neuron. Neurons are specialized cells that transmit information throughout the body, facilitating communication between different parts of the nervous system and between the nervous system and other systems in the body. Each neuron consists of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon, which allows it to receive signals, integrate those signals, and then transmit impulses to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

Glial cells, while essential for supporting and protecting neurons, do not have the same role in transmitting information. They serve various functions such as providing structural support, maintaining homeostasis, and protecting against pathogens but do not constitute the fundamental unit of communication that neurons do.

Axons and dendrites are components of a neuron; the axon transmits signals away from the cell body, and the dendrites receive signals from other neurons. While important for the functioning of a neuron, neither of these structures alone constitutes the fundamental unit of the nervous system. Thus, the recognition of the neuron as the primary functional and structural entity is crucial in understanding the organization of the nervous system.