Nerve cell or neuron is the functional and structural unit of the nervous system. A nerve cell has three parts :

(i) cell body

(ii) dendrite

(iii) axon

Structure of a Typical Neuron :

The function of nerve cells is to carry information in the form of electrical signals which are called nerve impulses. Cells receive stimulus to send it to the spinal cord and brain and carry the message from the brain to the target organ.