Final answer:
The correct pairing is option b, which identifies neurons as cells that conduct electrical impulses. Neurons can rapidly transmit signals due to their specialized shape and connectivity, which is essential for various bodily functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct pairing of cell definitions with the type of cell is option b, which states that neurons are cells that conduct electrical impulses. Neurons are indeed specialized to receive stimuli and generate electrical signals that can travel rapidly over great distances in the body. Their long and stringy shape allows them to form a network that can quickly send signals, between different parts of the body or to and from the brain.
On the other hand, red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, are specialized blood cells that circulate through the body delivering oxygen to cells and removing carbon dioxide. They do not have an elongated shape nor do they contract.
Muscle cells are indeed specialized for contraction but are not components of blood; they form tissue that helps produce voluntary and involuntary movements. Lastly, epithelial cells protect the body's surfaces and internal cavities; they do not carry oxygen, which is the function of red blood cells.