Final answer:
Afferent neurons are responsible for conducting nerve impulses toward the spinal cord and brain, carrying sensory information for processing. They are different from glial cells like microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, which support neuron function but do not conduct sensory information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cell types that conduct nerve impulses toward the spinal cord and brain are afferent neurons. These neurons take sensory information from various body parts and send it to the central nervous system for processing. For example, a neuron that takes taste information from your tongue and sends it to your brain is an afferent neuron. This is distinct from efferent neurons, which transmit signals from the brain to muscles or glands, such as when a spinal cord neuron stimulates a muscle to contract.
The other options given, such as microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, are types of glial cells. Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths in the central nervous system, astrocytes regulate the chemical environment around neurons, and microglia act as phagocytes to clean up debris. These cells are supportive in nature and do not convey sensory information to the brain.