What term describes the nerve cells that carry signals throughout the body?

The term that describes the nerve cells that carry signals throughout the body is "neurons." Neurons are specialized cells that transmit information via electrical and chemical signals, forming the basis of the nervous system. They play a crucial role in communicating between the brain and the rest of the body, facilitating processes such as movement, sensation, and cognition.

Nerves, while often associated with neurons, actually refer to bundles of neurons that transmit signals to and from different areas of the body. Muscle fibers are cells specific to muscles, responsible for contraction and movement, and do not carry signals in the same way neurons do. The term "cells" is a broad category that encompasses all types of cells, including neurons, but does not specify the role of transmitting signals. Thus, "neurons" is the most accurate term for the cells responsible for signal transmission in the nervous system.