Nerve cells, also known as neurons, are specialized cells that make up the nervous system. They play a crucial role in transmitting information throughout the body and are responsible for controlling muscle movement, regulating bodily functions such as heart rate and blood pressure, and processing sensory information from our environment. Each nerve cell has a cell body containing genetic material, an axon that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body, and dendrites that receive signals from other neurons or muscles. Together, these components allow for communication between different parts of the brain and throughout the entire nervous system.