What are the characteristics of nervous tissue?

Nervous tissue is specialized and located in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. This type of tissue is able to generate and transmit electrical signals throughout the body, and consists of neurons and supporting cells called neuroglia, or glial cells. Neurons are specialized nerve cells which produce and carry nerve signals. Each neuron is composed of dendrites, a central cell body, and an axon. The function of dendrites is to respond to stimuli by receiving incoming signals and direct them toward the cell body. The cell body functions like a neuron’s headquarters, where it generates proteins and contains specialized organelles including granules, the nucleus, and Nissl bodies. Axons function as highways, transmitting signals over long distances away from the cell body. In the central nervous system, oligodendrocytes (which are a type of glial cells) create myelin. Meanwhile, Schwann cells, which is another type of glial cell, generate myelin in the peripheral nervous system. Myelin is an insulating layer which surrounds nerves and allows impulses to travel rapidly amongst nerve cells.