Final answer:
Neurons are specialized cells responsible for the transmission of electrochemical impulses in the nervous system. They transmit signals using structures like axons and synaptic terminals. Muscle cells, particularly myocardial conducting cells, can also generate action potentials and transmit electrical impulses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transmission of Electrochemical Impulses
The cell type responsible for the transmission of electrochemical impulses are neurons, also known as nerve cells. These electrically excitable cells are the fundamental units of the nervous system and are uniquely equipped to transmit signals through their specialized structures. Parts of the neuron include the soma (cell body), dendrites, and an elongated extension known as the axon, which facilitates the propagation of electrochemical signals. The axons may be covered in a myelin sheath, formed by glial cells, that enhances the speed of signal transmission. When an electrochemical impulse, or action potential, reaches the end of an axon, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft and bind to receptors on a postsynaptic cell, thus continuing the signal conduction process.
In the myocardium, myocardial conducting cells are specialized cells that transmit electrical impulses essential for heart function. Electrolytes in cells and body fluids supply the electrical energy necessary for voltage changes in both nerve and muscle cells, enabling impulse transmission. In addition to neurons, muscle cells, particularly those in the heart, have the ability to generate action potentials, sharing physiological similarities with nerve cells.