What are the functional and structural units of the nervous system called?

Neurons are indeed the functional and structural units of the nervous system. They are specialized cells responsible for receiving, transmitting, and processing information throughout the body. Each neuron consists of three main parts: the cell body, dendrites, and axon, which work together to carry out their vital functions.

Neurons communicate with each other and with other cell types through synapses, which are the junctions where neurotransmitters are released and received. While synapses play a crucial role in transmitting signals, they are not the structural units themselves; rather, they function as specialized connections between neurons.

Axons and dendrites are parts of the neuron. Axons transmit electrical impulses away from the cell body, while dendrites receive signals from other neurons. Both are essential components of the neuron but do not represent the unit as a whole. Therefore, while synapses, axons, and dendrites are all important to the function of the nervous system, it is the neuron that serves as the fundamental building block.