text: Simply put: the nervous system is an electrical system.\n\nMore complexly put:  the nervous system is an electro-biochemical system where electrical signals are transported down the neuron to a synapse.  At the synapse, a chemical or hormone neurotransmitter is released.  This neurotransmitter binds to receptors on the nerve downstream, and activates an electrical current which continues to propagate to it's destination.\n\nThe difference between a functioning nerve and a functioning wire... functionally speaking... is none.  Structurally speaking, a wire is made of a conductive metal, surrounded by an insulating sheath of rubber or plastic.  A nerve cell, or neuron, stretches out long processes, called axons, to conduct electricity through the body.  It's insultation is provided by another type of cell, called the Schwann cell.  The Schwann cell, is composed of lipids (fats) which insulate the neuronal axon.