The type of cells responsible for transmitting signals in the nervous system are called neurons. Neurons are specialized cells that communicate information throughout the body via electrical impulses and chemical signals. They consist of three main parts: the cell body, dendrites, and axon. Dendrites receive signals from other neurons, while the axon transmits impulses to other neurons or muscles. The complex network formed by neurons enables the nervous system to coordinate bodily functions, process sensory information, and facilitate communication between different regions of the body.