The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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Nerve cell fibers that receive signals from other cells.
The nerve cell, or neuron, has two types of fibers to send and receive signals. Dendrites are short, threadlike fibers that extend from the cell body of a nerve cell to receive signals. The other fibers, the axons, send or transmit signals to other nerve cells. Dendrites receive electrochemical signals, which are known as postsynaptic potentials, from the axons of other neurons. The information contained in these signals is fired across a synaptic gap a billionth of an inch wide and transmitted toward the cell body, with the signals fading as they approach their destination. A single neuron can have many dendrites, each composed of numerous branches; together, they comprise the greater part of the neuron's receptive surface.
The number of axons and dendrites increases dramatically during infancy and childhood. Scientists believe this increase in nerve growth may occur to facilitate the rapid development experienced during this stage of human growth. Alternatively, the number of axons and dendrites decreases in early adolescence. Thus, a child of six has more dendrites than an adult.
Barr, Murray Llewellyn. The Human Nervous System: An Anatomical Viewpoint. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, 1993.
Resetak, Richard M. Receptors. New York: Bantam Books, 1994.
Messengers. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities, 1985. Nerves at Work! Part of The Living Body series. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanties, 1985.