Final answer:
Axons can be distinguished from dendrites by their singular long extensions, presence of a myelin sheath, and specialized axon terminals for signal transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
Distinguishing Axons from Dendrites
The three physical characteristics that distinguish axons from dendrites are as follows:
- Axons are typically singular long extensions of the neuron that conduct electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body, whereas dendrites are usually multiple and shorter, branching off the cell body to receive signals.
- Myelin Sheath coverage is another distinction, with many axons being insulated by myelin sheath, a protective fatty layer that accelerates signal transmission, unlike dendrites which lack this feature.
- The ends of axons are called axon terminals, which form synapses with other neurons for signal transmission. Dendrites generally do not have such specialized terminal structures and instead have the primary function of receiving signals from the axon terminals of other neurons.
The structural differences between axons and dendrites play crucial roles in the directional flow of information through the neuron, from dendrites receiving incoming signals, to the cell body, and finally along the axon to make connections with other cells.