How do neurons work?

Neurons are the information messengers within the nervous system. They are morphologically specialized to generate, receive, and send neural impulses to other neurons and non-neural tissues. 

Neurons use a combination of electrical and chemical signals to transmit information between the brain, spinal cord, and the entire body as well as between different areas of the brain. When a neuron receives a stimulus, it generates electrical signals called action potentials or nerve impulses, which are capable of quickly transmitting information over long distances. 

The receiving neuron only becomes active when the total stimulus input reaches a threshold at which excitation sufficiently outweighs inhibition. At this point, the receiving neuron spikes and releases a chemical known as neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters travel a small distance across a gap or synapse to reach adjacent neurons. They transmit the message they are carrying by activating receptors present on the receiving neurons. 

There are two types of neurons, based on whether they send an electrical signal towards or away from the central nervous system. Efferent neurons transmit neural impulses from the central nervous system to the peripheral tissues, while afferent neurons conduct impulses from the peripheral tissues to the central nervous system.