Final answer:
The correct term for a group of similar cells that perform a specific function in an organism is 'tissue.' In the nervous system, neurons form nervous tissue, which transmits nerve impulses. Neurons, acting as specialized cells, receive stimuli and send electrical signals within this tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
A tissue is a group of cells, generally of the same kind, that perform a particular function in an organism. While motor neurons and sensory neurons are types of neurons, neither is the correct term for a group of similar cells that perform a specific function. Instead, the correct answer is tissue. In the context of the nervous system, neurons are the specialized cells that group into nervous tissue, which transmits nerve impulses.
Neurons are responsible for the electrical signals that communicate information about sensations, produce movements, and induce thought processes. A neuron acts much like an electrical wire, transmitting a signal from one place to another. Neuroglia, or simply glia, play supporting roles for neurons in the nervous system. Specialized structures, like those made from neurons, form as a result of cells with a common embryonic origin grouping together.
The nervous system is comprised of both neurons and glia. The most prominent cell of the nervous tissue, the neuron, is characterized by its ability to receive stimuli and generate an electrical signal, or action potential. Together, these cells function in harmony to achieve specific tasks. Therefore, a tissue is a cohesive ensemble of similar cells, like neurons, that work together to perform a well-defined function within an organism.