What are the tiny cells in the brain that serve as a communication network called?

The tiny cells in the brain that primarily function as a communication network are called neurons. Neurons are specialized cells that transmit information throughout the body via electrical and chemical signals. They are essential for processing and sending information as well as contributing to various brain functions, including reflexes, thoughts, and sensory experiences. Each neuron connects with many other neurons to form intricate networks that support complex signaling pathways, which are vital for learning, memory, and overall brain functionality.

While other options, such as axons and dendrites, are components of neurons and partake in the communication process—axons transmitting signals away from the neuron and dendrites receiving signals from other neurons—it is the neurons themselves that make up the core of the brain's communication network. Glia, on the other hand, although important for supporting and protecting neurons, do not directly participate in the transmission of signals like neurons do.