Final answer:
B) The neuron cannot be stimulated to send a signal along its axon. A neuron with non-functional dendrites cannot receive and integrate signals, hence it cannot be stimulated to send a signal along its axon, rendering the correct answer B) The neuron cannot be stimulated to send a signal along its axon.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a new drug interferes with the function of the dendrites of a neuron, this neuron would not be able to receive signals properly. Dendrites are crucial for receiving chemical signals in the form of neurotransmitters from other neurons. These neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the dendrites and allow for the opening of ion channels, leading to depolarization of the neuron. This depolarization is necessary to reach a threshold that triggers an action potential along the axon. Therefore, if the dendrites are unable to function, the neuron cannot integrate the incoming information from numerous synapses, and as a result, the neuron would not be able to send signals effectively downstream to other neurons.
Without proper dendritic function, the neuron is unable to integrate multiple signals at the axon hillock, a process critical for the generation of a signal into the axon. The correct answer to the question of what will happen to this neuron is: B) The neuron cannot be stimulated to send a signal along its axon.