The negative and positive charge of the cell makes the outside of cell positive and inside of it negative. Transferring information: This is the last step where dendrites perform the function of transferring information. This positive and negative charge leads to increase and decrease of potential leading the cell to become hyperpolarized. These transmitters activate certain channels, thereby enabling the entry of sodium, calcium, and chloride into the membrane. Processing information: After receiving, this information is processed at the synapse where many neurotransmitters are involved. At this spot, there is a transfer of information which leads to second function. The pre synapse takes the information via neurotransmitters which travels through the overall body of the neuron and reaches to the post synapse. Synapses act as a connection between two neurons where information is exchanged. It extends from the cell body and towards the projections where synapses lie. Receiving information: This is one of the first functions that is to be carried by the dendrite. This main function can be broken into three sub functions namely: receiving information, processing information, and transferring information. For example, multipolar and axonic neurons have multiple dendrites, whereas bipolar neuron just has one and unipolar has none.Īs described earlier, the main function of the dendrite is to receive signals and transfer it to the cell body of the neuron. The development of dendrites is purely dependent on the type of neuron. As there are different types of neurons, these neurons also have different number of dendrites. The process of branching of dendrites into a tree is called as dendritic branching. Sensory input modulation, neuronal activity, body temperature, environmental pollutants, and intoxication of drugs are the factors controlling dendritic development. There are several environmental and bodily factors that are responsible in controlling the development of dendrites. Thus, a highly polarized neuron will form a big dendritic tree. All neurons undergo polarization, leading to changes in dendritic and axonal terminals. Dendrites have their own arborization pattern and these patterns are formed especially during the migration of neuron. Not only this, but it also determines the way in which the information will be received. The development of dendrites determines the pattern of synapse acting on a neuron. However, there is a great difference between axon and dendrites in terms of their functions, features, and characteristics. There are two types of dendrites namely: protoplasmic protrusions and the other is the axon. It then goes to the next neuron and the process is repeated again and again. The information received by one neuron comes at dendrite and goes to the cell body, and continues to the axon. This transmission happens with the help of chemical signals and electric signals. Dendrites receive messages from neurons and transfer it to another neurons. After this, they came to be known as part of synapse and their electrical activity was recorded in 1930, by which their function came to limelight. The name dendrite was given late in 1899. Golgi in 1873 first studied dendrites and named it as ‘protoplasmic projections’. They are stimulated by many other neurons and get charged up to create an action. Their main work is to receive signals from other cells. It looks like branches of the tree that go in any direction. The word ‘dendrites’ have been originated from the Greek word ‘dendrons’ which means branches of the tree and so is the dendrite. Moving forward, we will talk about dendrites. There are millions of neurons in the body and these neurons have millions of axons and dendrites. All the coordination in our body takes place with the help of a nervous system and these neurons pass and send the message from the brain to different parts of the body. However, a neuron has many other parts namely: the nucleus, soma, myelin sheath, neural impulse, synapse, Schwann cell, and the nodes of Ranvier but axon and dendrites stand out the most because of their functions of sending and receiving messages. Here is an image of a neuron depicting two main parts of it.
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