Which part of a neuron receives information from other neurons and passes it toward the cell body?

• A. Dendrite
• B. Axon
• C. Soma
• D. Terminal Button

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how neurons gather input from other cells and move that information toward the cell body. Dendrites are the receiving branches of a neuron; they have receptors for neurotransmitters released by neighboring neurons. When these chemical signals bind, they create small electrical changes that travel along the dendrites toward the soma (the cell body). This input is then integrated at the soma to determine whether an action potential will be generated and passed along the axon. In contrast, the axon carries signals away from the cell body, the soma serves as the integrative center, and terminal buttons release neurotransmitters to other neurons. So the part that receives information and directs it toward the cell body is the dendrite.