Final answer:
Neurons are the basic units of the nervous system, responsible for processing, storing, and transmitting information through electrical signals within the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The spinal cord acts as a conduit between the brain and the body, while various brain structures collaborate for complex functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic units of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that process, store, and transmit information are known as neurons. These cells are responsible for the electrical signals that propagate through the nervous system, allowing us to feel sensations, initiate movement, and think. The human nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), comprising the nerves that extend throughout the body.
The spinal cord serves as an information superhighway connecting the brain to the rest of the body, facilitating the transmission of sensory and motor input as well as controlling motor reflexes. Myelinated axons constitute the white matter of the spinal cord, while neuron and glial cell bodies make up the gray matter. The spinal cord's architecture also contains interneurons that enable connectivity between neurons located in different regions of the body.
Surrounding the CNS are protective membranes called meninges, while various brain regions like the brainstem, cerebellum, limbic system, and the cortex's lobes are involved in diverse functions often requiring complex interplay between different types of neurons.