Question

You look at a nerve cell under a microscope and see something that looks like a tiny tree stretching outwards. What function does this part of the cell perform?

Answer 1

The part of the nerve cell that looks like a tiny tree stretching outwards is called dendrites. Dendrites receive nerve impulses from other cells and carry them to the cell body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The part of the nerve cell that looks like a tiny tree stretching outwards is called the dendrites. Dendrites are thin structures that are extensions of the cell body and their function is to receive nerve impulses from other cells and carry them to the cell body. They form a complex branching structure, allowing a neuron to communicate with tens of thousands of other cells.

Answer 2

Dendrites are the tree-like structures extending from a nerve cell, receiving nerve impulses from other cells and directing them to the neuron's cell body. The shape and structure of neurons, including dendrites and axons, facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses and contribute to the nervous system's complexity and learning capacity.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you look under a microscope and see a structure that looks like a tiny tree stretching outwards from a nerve cell, you are observing the dendrites. These are thin extensions of the cell body that play a crucial role in how neurons function.

Dendrites are responsible for receiving nerve impulses from other cells and then carrying those signals to the neuron's cell body.

The branching structure of dendrites allows a single neuron to communicate with tens of thousands of other cells, facilitating complex neural networks necessary for brain function.