What is a dendrite? (1 point)
• It is a cell that sends signals to the central nervous system based on sensory input.
• It is the part of the neuron that carries information away from the cell body.
• It is the part of a neuron that carries information to the cell body.
• It is a cell that sends signals to the body to move.
• It is the part of a neuron that carries information to the cell body.
The correct answer is: It is the part of a neuron that carries information to the cell body.
The correct answer is:
• It is the part of a neuron that carries information to the cell body. (1 point)
To understand why a dendrite is the part of a neuron that carries information to the cell body, it's helpful to have a basic understanding of the structure of a neuron.
A neuron is a specialized cell in the nervous system that is responsible for transmitting information. It consists of three main parts: the cell body (also known as the soma), the dendrites, and the axon.
The cell body contains the nucleus and other cellular structures necessary for the neuron to function. The axon is a long extension that transmits signals away from the cell body to other neurons or target cells. And the dendrites are branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons and carry them towards the cell body.
When a neuron receives signals from other neurons, those signals are transmitted through the dendrites. The dendrites have receptor molecules on their surface that can detect and bind to specific neurotransmitters, which are chemical signals released by other neurons. When neurotransmitters bind to the dendrite receptors, they cause electrical changes in the neuron, creating an electrical signal called an action potential.
This action potential travels along the dendrites towards the cell body. Once the action potential reaches the cell body, it can trigger various processes within the neuron, such as the release of neurotransmitters from the axon or the generation of new action potentials that will be transmitted along the axon.
In summary, the dendrites of a neuron receive signals from other neurons and carry this information towards the cell body, where further processing and signaling can occur.