Neurons exhibit two highly developed physiological characteristics: excitability and conductivity.
Excitability refers to the ability of neurons to respond to stimuli, such as chemical signals or physical changes in their environment. When a neuron is stimulated, it can generate an electrical impulse known as an action potential. This property is crucial for the transmission of information throughout the nervous system, allowing neurons to react to and communicate external and internal signals effectively.
Conductivity is the ability of neurons to conduct electrical impulses along their axons to communicate with other neurons, muscles, or glands. This characteristic enables the propagation of action potentials over long distances. Neurons achieve this through specialized structures called synapses, which facilitate the transfer of signals between neurons, ensuring rapid communication.
In summary, the excitability of a neuron allows it to react to stimuli, while its conductivity enables the transmission of electrical signals, forming the basis of neural communication.