Which part of a neuron is specialized to receive information?

Dendrites are indeed the part of a neuron specifically designed to receive information from other neurons. They are tree-like structures that branch out from the neuron’s soma (cell body) and create a large surface area for receiving signals. When a neuron is activated, dendrites pick up neurotransmitters released by neighboring neurons, enabling the transmission of signals across synapses. This process is critical for communication within the nervous system, as it allows neurons to integrate input from multiple sources and determine whether to pass on the information to other neurons through the axon.

In contrast, other parts of the neuron play different roles. The axon is responsible for transmitting impulses away from the cell body toward other neurons or muscles. The soma contains the nucleus and is essentially the metabolic center of the neuron. Finally, terminal buttons are located at the end of the axon and are involved in sending signals to other neurons by releasing neurotransmitters, but they do not receive information.