South Carolina Esthetician State Board Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Resource for Exam Success!

The term that refers to a nerve cell is "neuron." Neurons are the fundamental building blocks of the nervous system and are responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body. They consist of three main parts: the cell body, dendrites, and axon. The cell body contains the nucleus, dendrites receive signals from other cells, and the axon transmits impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or muscles.

Neuroglia, on the other hand, are supportive cells that provide protection and support to neurons but do not transmit nerve impulses themselves. A synapse refers to the junction between two neurons where the transmission of impulses occurs, while an axon is the long, slender projection of a neuron that conducts electrical impulses away from the cell body. Thus, the correct choice not only identifies the basic unit of the nervous system but also highlights its role in communication within that system.