What is the function of a dendrite?

1 Answer
Sep 6, 2016

The dendrite is the part of the nerve cell that receive messages that can be passed on to the next cell.

Explanation:

The dendrites extend like fingers from the nerve cell. At the end of each dendrite is a space called a synapse where chemical can pass from the Axon of another nerve cell to the dendrite. When the Axon stimulates the chemical in the synapse the dendrite received the message and passes the message to the Cell Body of the nerve cell.

The Cell Body can then transfer the message to an axon in the nerve cell sending the message on to the next nerve cell.

In the brain a nerve cell may have multiple dendrites allowing that nerve cell to make connections to many other nerve cells. The more dendrites the more connections the brain can make. This adds in both memory and problem solving.