A cell that has many short branches that receive signals and one very long branch that carries signals to other cells

The cell you're describing is known as a neuron, or nerve cell. Neurons are the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, the organs which transmit signals around the body. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the structure:

1. Dendrites: These are the many short branches you mentioned. They receive signals from other neurons and carry those signals to the cell body, or soma.

2. Soma: This is the cell body of the neuron. It contains the nucleus of the cell, and it's where the signals received by the dendrites are processed.

3. Axon: This is the long branch of the neuron. It carries signals away from the soma and transmits them to other neurons, muscles, or glands.

4. Axon terminals: These are located at the end of the axon. They are responsible for transmitting the neuron's signal across synapses, the tiny spaces between neurons.

5. Myelin sheath: This is a fatty layer that covers the axon. It helps speed up the transmission of signals.

6. Nodes of Ranvier: These are small gaps in the myelin sheath where the axon is exposed. They help facilitate the rapid transmission of nerve impulses.

7. Synapse: This is the gap between neurons. The signal is transmitted across this gap through the release of chemicals known as neurotransmitters from the axon terminals.

So, in summary, the signals are received by the dendrites, processed in the soma, transmitted along the axon, and sent to other cells via the axon terminals.