Arkansas Esthetician Practice Exam

What do dendrites do?

1. Transmit nerve impulses

2. Extend from the nerve cell

3. Produce sebum

4. Filter blood

The correct answer is: Extend from the nerve cell

Dendrites are vital components of a neuron, and their primary role is to extend from the nerve cell body to receive signals from other neurons. This structure allows dendrites to act as a communication hub, collecting information and relaying it to the neuron for processing. Their extensive branching increases a nerve cell's ability to receive multiple inputs, thus playing a crucial role in the transmission of signals within the nervous system. In contrast, some of the other processes listed are functions of different cell types or structures. Nerve impulses are transmitted through the axon, which is separate from the dendritic function. The production of sebum is related to sebaceous glands within the skin, and filtration of blood takes place in the kidneys, making them unrelated to the role of dendrites in the nervous system.