Which part of a neuron is responsible for receiving signals?

Dendrites are the part of a neuron that is specifically designed to receive signals. They are tree-like extensions that branch out from the neuron's cell body and increase the surface area available for receiving neurotransmitters from other neurons. When a signal, usually in the form of a chemical neurotransmitter, binds to the receptors on the dendrites, it generates an electrical impulse that travels toward the cell body of the neuron.

In contrast, the axon is primarily responsible for transmitting nerve impulses away from the cell body to other neurons or muscle cells. The synapse refers to the junction between two neurons where information is transferred, but it does not directly receive signals in the way dendrites do. The myelin sheath serves as an insulating layer that speeds up the transmission of impulses along the axon but does not play a role in the reception of signals. Thus, the dendrites are critical for the neuron’s ability to receive and process incoming information.